Next Kings coach : list

[Dustinlikestodance]

I just find it amazing that people suggest Ettore to be an assistant coach to one of the the unproven or underwhelming ex-NBA coach! Do you guys realise just how juvenile this sounds?! He is a proven coach, a bloody good coach that will most likely be in the Basketball Hall of Fame and you want him to be an assistant to someone who he can outcoach every day of the week and twice on sundays with his eyes closed!

Just laughable really!

No no you misunderstand. I'd love it if he became our head coach, but even he admitted that it would take some time to adjust. IMO, best case, we land him as our HC and have strong assistant support for him, like someone else said earlier. Noones putting him down, we're just expressing our concerns on whether or not he'll pan out in the NBA as a head coach. Remember, we're thinking long term here, since our FO should have figured out already that a different coach every year is stupid and growth stunting. It's a gamble on Ettore since we don't know if his Euro coaching or even he, himself, can translate to the NBA. I DO believe he'll succeed though, seeing as many NBA coaches already attend his seminars he holds over the summer. That counts for something right?

I have a feeling he'll be great for us.

 

[KingGiant49erFan]

The problem with any Euro coach, other than the adjustment to the rules/style/pace/lngth of the season, is the question of whether the players will buy in or not. Many people get confused about NBA coaching and think its about Xs and Os or being a tough guy or whatever -- its not. Its an ego management position. An NBA coach is in an untenable positon -- he walks onto the practice court as the poorest and least powerful man in the gym, and yet somehow he has to convince the elite egomaniacs assembled before him -- who have been told they are special since they were 10 years old and are getting the millions to prove it -- that they should do what he wants them to do for the sake of the team. That's not about Xs and Os. Its about getting guys to buy in.

I have no doubt Ettore can coach. I have no doubt the elite college guys can coach either. But the question with outsiders coming into the league is do they have legitimacy? Can they get their players to listen to them? When a guy is a legendary type coach in Europe, has all that legitimacy, has more power and prestige than his players, and then comes to the NBA to discover he's a nothing as far as these players are concerend, how does he respond? We might have the advantage of having nowhere to go but up -- maybe whoever's on the team next year might be willing to give it a shot because hey, nothing to lose right? But its also true that in a tough situation like ours, any perceived weakness or flaw in the coach is going to become magnified. If we are winning, then guys buy in because we're winning. But if we are losing, then guys are going to look for reasons why, question the coaching, ask if he knows what he is doing etc. and seize upon his lack of NBA background as an excuse to challenge his legitimacy. I do not know enough about Ettore to know if he can meet those challenges, but they are the real barrier to coaches outside the sytem.

Its an interesting idea, a coach with a major winning pedigree rather than a retread. But it could easily go very wrong and result in a mess.

I think that you are underrating the importance of X's and O's in coaching basketball. This isn't the NFL, where truly the head coach is nothing more than an ego manager. Obviously it is tantamount that the players DO buy in on some level, but you need both. If he has exceptional talent as an X's and O's guy and has been successful in Europe why not give him a shot? Also, who on this team would potentially reject him? Beno, Kevin, JT, and Donte would be more than happy to have him in my estimation (purely speculation) and I couldn't really see anybody else specifically rejecting him. If we draft Rubio then Ettore would be especially desireable, with Rubio as the team leader both verbally and physically I feel like the guys would be even more accepting of a European legend as the head man.

 

[kingsnation]

I just find it amazing that people suggest Ettore to be an assistant coach to one of the the unproven or underwhelming ex-NBA coach! Do you guys realise just how juvenile this sounds?! He is a proven coach, a bloody good coach that will most likely be in the Basketball Hall of Fame and you want him to be an assistant to someone who he can outcoach every day of the week and twice on sundays with his eyes closed!

Just laughable really!

Actually, it's not that bad of an idea. Now don't get me wrong - I do not think he should be an assistant to anyone like Eddie Jordan. However, it would probably serve him well to serve as an assistant to a GOOD NBA coach. To learn and to adjust to the NBA game and how to coach it.

A good coach never stops learning, and should never put themselves above learning. If he comes over here with the same attitude that you act like he should have, that will be the attitude that eventually makes him a failure.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Interesting concept. It certainly would give the press something to analyze and criticize on a regular basis. To bring in Ettore as an assistant with the idea of eventually making him the head coach sounds good on paper, but what head coach would sign a contract knowing that the handwriting is on the wall? If your Eddie Jordan or Van Gundy, would you sign on to that senario? I wouldn't!

The only way this would work would be to retain Natt, or bring in J. W. for a year. Sounds like a big mess to me, and I'm sure it would sound the same to ESPN. If you want Ettore as your head coach, then you sign him as your head coach, and then surround him with good assistants to help him adjust. You give him a four year contract, so the players know he's going to be around for a while, and you let it be known that management is 100% behind him.

If he's as smart as you say, he'll be fine. All the players respect Carrill. Why? Because he knows more than they do, and he's a good teacher. Coachie may look like a nice pleasant old man, but he's a tough SOB who tells it like it is. Bricky's right when he says there's more than X's and O's to being a head coach. Taking a course in psychiatry should be mandatory.

I agree. Obviously we would have to be careful. I don't think you bring Ettore in with a promise of being a HC. No respectable HC would want to be a lame duck like that. You bring him over as a AC, because he knows that's the route he needs to follow to become a NBA head coach. You make no promises and simply let things play out. ESPN would probably praise the move as bold, out of the box thinking landing suck a good AC.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I'm all for bringing in Avery as head coach, and Del Harris as his assistant. But I wouldnt be against bringing in Shaw, and have a guy like Bickerstaff as his assistant, and give Ole' Whiz an assistant job where he would still be able to teach his defensive principals while gaining the respect of the players...I do think that would work out ALOT better than bringing him in as head coach.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

My list:

1a. Messina
1b. Jordan
3. VanGundy
---------
RUNNER-UP:
Shaw

At this stage, especially if we take Rubio, an up-tempo offense with a European-flavored coach would be something I would be interested in. Not that Tom Thibodeau, Elie, Saunders, and the others aren't exceptional coaches, I just think after this season especially, a little fun with an unconventional pick (especially with so much money owed to our past three coaches) would be something.

1. Maybe
1a. HELL no
2. No

Eddie Jordan hasnt proven he can coach a team in full rebuilding mode like we are, and in Washington he always had Agent Zero, Butler and Jamison...not too shabby when they're all healthy. I'm not sure JVG is the voice you want to bring in with the kids, he's a ball buster, and I'm just not too sure about Ettore...he's a wild card in this...I guess if you gave me a choice of Whiz and him, I'd take a shot with him...would be an interesting hire, indeed.

 

[Rockmeister]

Man, listening to Avery Johnson right now, his voice is sooooo annoying. Although I wouldn't mind having him as a coach, however, I don't think I could stand listening to his voice all day long.

 

[Sac.1989]

I'm for letting GP decide. Whomever he feels is the best fit for the team he is building is the best choice.

absolutely, i will not complain at all if its a GP pick

 

[KCKingsCountry]

Mike Budenholzer would be my choice.

 

[Dreadnought]

Nobody else has interest in Mike Fratello or Terry Porter like I am?

 

[ParniValjak]

Actually, it's not that bad of an idea. Now don't get me wrong - I do not think he should be an assistant to anyone like Eddie Jordan. However, it would probably serve him well to serve as an assistant to a GOOD NBA coach. To learn and to adjust to the NBA game and how to coach it.

A good coach never stops learning, and should never put themselves above learning. If he comes over here with the same attitude that you act like he should have, that will be the attitude that eventually makes him a failure.

Аbsolute rubbish! This is the coach that presents seminars and learning courses that the good NBA coaches attend and contrinue to attend. Do you actually understand the magnitude of that?! He is a teach for someone like Pop, George Karl and many other AFL coaches who attend Ettore's seminar. And now you want him to be an assistnant to one of those guys. Come on now. All this shows in your inability to comprehend that there might be actually good coaches outside of the NBA. If other NBA teams have your attitude them they will miss out on a great coach.

I think it would be a major insult for a club to ask him to be an assistant coach.

 

[6th]

Аbsolute rubbish! This is the coach that presents seminars and learning courses that the good NBA coaches attend and contrinue to attend. Do you actually understand the magnitude of that?! He is a teach for someone like Pop, George Karl and many other AFL coaches who attend Ettore's seminar. And now you want him to be an assistnant to one of those guys. Come on now. All this shows in your inability to comprehend that there might be actually good coaches outside of the NBA. If other NBA teams have your attitude them they will miss out on a great coach.

I think it would be a major insult for a club to ask him to be an assistant coach.

I absolutely agree!!!! Coaching is coaching! Ettore has a resume that most NBA coaches drool over. This arrogant attitude that NBA coaches are wonderful and anyone coaching in any other capacity must surely be inferior is pure rubbish. It's time to give credit where credit is due. And I, for one, would love to have someone of Ettore's calibre coaching the Kings. Few coaches in the NBA could live up to his standards and the few that can are already employed and likely to remain so.

 

[Aenadin]

dont you think that instead of having the next coaches have an interview with the owners... they should be interviewed or be allowed to meet and accomodate their would be players? i mean the maloofs arent the ones who would be at the tip off with yao? they arent the ones checking lebron.. that is what lead to the hirings of musselman... and the theus..

maloofs got wowed by the powerpoint the X and Os of musselman like "hey he knows what hes doing hes got POWERPOINT!" they got lured in by the flair of theus..whose successful coaching career is at new mexico and hangtime.. they should make sure that players and the coach will hit right off the bat.. or will have some understanding

and the players if they really want to improve and have a winning season they should AT LEAST spend 3 to 5 days knowing and accomodating would be coaches...

its not only management who needs to give some time.. but also the players... i mean their job is to play the game we love.. and by the age of 34 they can retire while the rest of us are just starting and stuff

 

[Bricklayer]

Аbsolute rubbish! This is the coach that presents seminars and learning courses that the good NBA coaches attend and contrinue to attend. Do you actually understand the magnitude of that?! He is a teach for someone like Pop, George Karl and many other AFL coaches who attend Ettore's seminar. And now you want him to be an assistnant to one of those guys. Come on now. All this shows in your inability to comprehend that there might be actually good coaches outside of the NBA. If other NBA teams have your attitude them they will miss out on a great coach.

I think it would be a major insult for a club to ask him to be an assistant coach.

Pete Carril is a HOF coach...yet he came in as an assistant, and it was the right role for him in the NBA.

But the above type of thinking is one of the major black marks against making a move for a guy like Ettore -- if HE is of a similar mind then it is unlikely he is going to be able to deal with the reality that in the NBA he is largely unknown and has to prove himself all over again, whether as an assistant or a head coach.

I do think finding a place for a coach like Ettore as an assistant would be a difficult fit. The great coaches who he could assist for for a year or two without shame normally like to control things and have established systems and Ettore would have to set aside his own. The newbie coaches would be an insult. The midrange coaches might well feel him a threat to their jobs. Its almost a coach by coach thing. He could probably assist a guy like D'Antoni, assuming there was no rivalry while D'Antoni was in Europe, because of familiarity and D'Antoni's security in his job. He could assist Mike Brown if Brown truly does respect him, wiht Brown already established wiht a championship level team. I could almost see Pop taking him on for a year or two to show him the ropes. Just feels right of the major coaches with his familiarity with international players and more of an ambassador role than some. For some reason I could have seen him working out as one of Del Negro's veteran handholders in Chicago this year, etc. But of our other candidates..not sure I see the great fit that way. Maybe Jordan, but Ettore is the better coach and I could see him growing restive.

 

[bajaden]

Pete Carril is a HOF coach...yet he came in as an assistant, and it was the right role for him in the NBA.

But the above type of thinking is one of the major black marks against making a move for a guy like Ettore -- if HE is of a similar mind then it is unlikely he is going to be able to deal with the reality that in the NBA he is largely unknown and has to prove himself all over again, whether as an assistant or a head coach.

I do think finding a place for a coach like Ettore as an assistant would be a difficult fit. The great coaches who he could assist for for a year or two without shame normally like to control things and have established systems and Ettore would have to set aside his own. The newbie coaches would be an insult. The midrange coaches might well feel him a threat to their jobs. Its almost a coach by coach thing. He could probably assist a guy like D'Antoni, assuming there was no rivalry while D'Antoni was in Europe, because of familiarity and D'Antoni's security in his job. He could assist Mike Brown if Brown truly does respect him, wiht Brown already established wiht a championship level team. I could almost see Pop taking him on for a year or two to show him the ropes. Just feels right of the major coaches with his familiarity with international players and more of an ambassador role than some. For some reason I could have seen him working out as one of Del Negro's veteran handholders in Chicago this year, etc. But of our other candidates..not sure I see the great fit that way. Maybe Jordan, but Ettore is the better coach and I could see him growing restive.

I agree completely. We either bite the bullet and hire him to be our head coach or not. In fact, for a while it would be a great publicity ploy for the Kings. Especially, if we're lucky enough to aquire the first pick in the draft.

We draft Griffin or (you fill in). Hire the most renowned head coach in Europe, and sign a significant free agent like Hedo (you fill in). All those moves combined would probably put some people in the seats. Out of curiosity, if nothing else. Who knows, it just might just work out in the win and loss dept as well...

 

[Aenadin]

putting ettore at the coaching position not only do you get an intelligent basketball man but think of the fanbase that his style of play has accumulated.. he be a judge of talent of euros gives the kings an edge in euro scouting... and marketability if his fanbase from euro follow his coaching

drafting rubio would also increase kings fanbase

 

[Bricklayer]

I agree completely. We either bite the bullet and hire him to be our head coach or not. In fact, for a while it would be a great publicity ploy for the Kings. Especially, if we're lucky enough to aquire the first pick in the draft.

We draft Griffin or (you fill in). Hire the most renowned head coach in Europe, and sign a significant free agent like Hedo (you fill in). All those moves combined would probably put some people in the seats. Out of curiosity, if nothing else. Who knows, it just might just work out in the win and loss dept as well...

You do realize I hope that I am not necessarily in favor of getting Ettore.

Do think its an interesting idea, but bringing in a big ego from outside the NBA is playing with dynamite.

 

[bloom]

I’m really in favor of getting Shaw, even though I really would have liked to get a proven coach, but his experience under Phil Jackson can’t be overlooked. He knows the Princeton offense and he’s worked with Kobe.

I know we passed on him twice but I hope that he will overlook that if he’s being interviewed again.

Additionally, if a Byron Scott or George Karl falters and gets fired after the opening round, or the Kings win the NBA draft lottery (and select Oklahoma's Blake Griffin), the scenario changes.

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1791500.html

I can see George Karl (especially if he loses in the first round again) but Byron Scott (I’d be a little surprised). Let’s say that Byron gets fired, is anybody interested?

 

[Rockmeister]

Let’s say that Byron gets fired, is anybody interested?

Absolutely! However, he won't get fired.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I absolutely agree!!!! Coaching is coaching! Ettore has a resume that most NBA coaches drool over. This arrogant attitude that NBA coaches are wonderful and anyone coaching in any other capacity must surely be inferior is pure rubbish. It's time to give credit where credit is due. And I, for one, would love to have someone of Ettore's calibre coaching the Kings. Few coaches in the NBA could live up to his standards and the few that can are already employed and likely to remain so.

I disagree here. Coaching in the NBA is unique for all the reasons Brick layed out earlier in this thread. If there was a solid precedent for coaches coming from other leagues being successful in the NBA, I would be more in favor of bringing in Ettore as the new coach. However, some of the brightest coaches in college basketball have come to the NBA and yet they have very consistently failed. There's a reason why so many people were/are against hiring Whis even though he had just won a WNBA championship when we nearly got him. It's a different league with different egos. I have no doubt that Ettore could pick up the variations in Xs and Os rather quickly, but if he has so much ego that he is unwilling to be an assistant first, the odds are he will be clashing with the players very soon.

And I realize there are some here who will probably argue, "Who cares, we're going to be bad anyway, let's take a chance." Well, we have enough young talent at this point that we do have something to lose if we keep failing in finding a good coach. We risk not developing our young players properly and creating a losing culture around here. If we start winning and developing the kids we can create a buzz here again and actually start attracting free agents, have our players play together in the summer to work on their games and gel and do the little things that winning teams do. If you create a losing culture with revolving coaches like we had prior to Petrie's arrival, then your young players don't develop or work on their games as much for another 20 win season, those who do look to leave as soon as their rookie contracts are up, players play for their stats, and FAs avoid you.

 

[kingsnation]

Аbsolute rubbish! This is the coach that presents seminars and learning courses that the good NBA coaches attend and contrinue to attend. Do you actually understand the magnitude of that?! He is a teach for someone like Pop, George Karl and many other AFL coaches who attend Ettore's seminar. And now you want him to be an assistnant to one of those guys. Come on now. All this shows in your inability to comprehend that there might be actually good coaches outside of the NBA. If other NBA teams have your attitude them they will miss out on a great coach.

I think it would be a major insult for a club to ask him to be an assistant coach.

No, I agree there are some amazing coaches outside of the NBA. You are just simply missing the point. Ettore is a GREAT coach. However, the NBA is a different game. Different players. Different schedule. etc.

You are totally overlooking that fact and just assuming that because he has had success overseas, he should automatically be a candidate for a Head Coaching position without learning the ins and outs of NBA life from an NBA-experienced coach first.

 

[VF21]

I disagree here. Coaching in the NBA is unique for all the reasons Brick layed out earlier in this thread. If there was a solid precedent for coaches coming from other leagues being successful in the NBA, I would be more in favor of bringing in Ettore as the new coach. However, some of the brightest coaches in college basketball have come to the NBA and yet they have very consistently failed. There's a reason why so many people were/are against hiring Whis even though he had just won a WNBA championship when we nearly got him. It's a different league with different egos. I have no doubt that Ettore could pick up the variations in Xs and Os rather quickly, but if he has so much ego that he is unwilling to be an assistant first, the odds are he will be clashing with the players very soon.

And I realize there are some here who will probably argue, "Who cares, we're going to be bad anyway, let's take a chance." Well, we have enough young talent at this point that we do have something to lose if we keep failing in finding a good coach. We risk not developing our young players properly and creating a losing culture around here. If we start winning and developing the kids we can create a buzz here again and actually start attracting free agents, have our players play together in the summer to work on their games and gel and do the little things that winning teams do. If you create a losing culture with revolving coaches like we had prior to Petrie's arrival, then your young players don't develop or work on their games as much for another 20 win season, those who do look to leave as soon as their rookie contracts are up, players play for their stats, and FAs avoid you.

I agree. I'm glad I read your post before responding because you probably said it better than I would have.

I'm tired of experiments. I want a coach who will fit right in who knows the NBA and the players. I wish Ettore all the luck in the world but I'm not interested in taking a chance like that.

 

[Kingster]

I have no knowledge on the candidates that have been listed. If Petrie, and not the Maloof committee, make the choice, I'm fine with it. But I want the guy to be given a 5 year contract, not a 3 year. The Maloofs are sooo whimsical and impulsive they need to be saved from themselves. I want it to be very financially painful for them to fire their new coach after a year. These kids need STABILITY. If you have a new coach every year you breed cynicism about the game and the organization, and you undermine the power of the coach. If they don't get this choice right, and if they don't stick with him through the tough times, then they can kiss any residue of Sacramento support goodbye.

 

[BritishColumbia]

I agree that Ettore is a risky variant ... however, it is way less risky than hiring 90% of NBA jobless coaches. I bet Messina (with all his minuses) would have done much better than our last 3 ones. And I feel that we'll do worse than Ettore this summer.

I am not advocating for him. I would rather sign David Blatt. I am just saying that any coach is a risky variant taking into consideration where the franchise is right now.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I agree that Ettore is a risky variant ... however, it is way less risky than hiring 90% of NBA jobless coaches. I bet Messina (with all his minuses) would have done much better than our last 3 ones. And I feel that we'll do worse than Ettore this summer.

I am not advocating for him. I would rather sign David Blatt. I am just saying that any coach is a risky variant taking into consideration where the franchise is right now.

Sorry to be the pushy one, but why? Why is he less risky than people with experience. I have already articulated my arguments against him (look back in this thread for them). But I am open minded. What are your arguments for him being less risky?

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I have no knowledge on the candidates that have been listed. If Petrie, and not the Maloof committee, make the choice, I'm fine with it. But I want the guy to be given a 5 year contract, not a 3 year. The Maloofs are sooo whimsical and impulsive they need to be saved from themselves. I want it to be very financially painful for them to fire their new coach after a year. These kids need STABILITY. If you have a new coach every year you breed cynicism about the game and the organization, and you undermine the power of the coach. If they don't get this choice right, and if they don't stick with him through the tough times, then they can kiss any residue of Sacramento support goodbye.

Ummm, I agree and disagree. Well I think you are right about consistency. Why would we want to potentially marry ourselves to a terrible coach? There are obviously financial constraints to how many coaches we can hire. The Maloofs have already eaten money on a couple. Let's say the Petrie/Maloofs combo mess up on the next coach even if it is a reasonable risk. Why would we want to guarantee 5 years of mediocrity?

 

[BritishColumbia]

Sorry to be the pushy one, but why? Why is he less risky than people with experience. I have already articulated my arguments against him (look back in this thread for them). But I am open minded. What are your arguments for him being less risky?

We all (99% of I guess) understand that European coach is a new thing for North American fans and players. We have only one precedent and D'Antoni is more like an American coach in the USA. And 'new things' are always risky. May be American players will not listen to Euro coaches and, probably, even respect them and it might be messy. We don't know it but it is very admissible.

Then why is he less risky? Because:

Coach has to coach. Yes, I understand that coach is more like a crisis manager now but he still works with players, creates tactics etc. And Ettore knows this stuff!!! He is a basketball professor. If we hire again someone like Theus or Natt, I'd like to send him to CSKA to learn many things from Messina. He is that good. He is famous for creating the best team defence in Europe; something we need badly in Sacramento.

Obviously, hiring an experienced successful NBA coach is less risky. However, IMO hiring a legendary and super successful Euro coach is less risky than hiring a former NBA player with no pro coaching experience or NBA coach with experience and NO results. IMHO Ettore would have done much better than our previous NBA coaches. He not only manages, he truly teaches and many of our players need that. Plus, you can attract the best European and South American free agents - they know how good he is. And may be he can re-start Beno too.

Ettore has some red flags for NBA though. He is a very tough coach, he demands a lot from players. He will not tolerate lazy defence or egoistic style of offence, especially from young players. He hates unprofessional behavior on and off the court. There is no clownery in his house.

 

[HighTopKicks]

Risk? We won 17 games. American, European, WNBA, or NBA coach, who cares as long as he knows basketball & can teach it & can get the team to play as a team.

With our core 8 players, we have no egos, no head cases, and after the draft half of our players will be under 22 yrs old. We need a father figure to go along with our grandfather figure (Coachie). We don't need a control freak, but someone with patience, who isn't under the gun from the owners to win now.

I know that a lot of people are obsessed with having a free moving offense like the Princeton, but our core has to learn to play defense. Defense will keep the Kings in more games & produce fewer blowouts. As the youth gets more proficient defensively, the offense can be enhanced. But, for now, we need baby steps. Basic pick & rolls, setting decent screens & picks, probing the paint, and dishing out to open shooters can be fun, when your winning.

The young guys have enthusiasim and energy, young legs and open minds. They will respect anyone who shows an interest, and helps them play better. They want to play and are smart enough to know that if the coach has the backing of the FO & owners, that they had better do what he wants if they want PT. They are a clean slates, and empty white boards. We need someone to teach them and march them into the playoffs, not beat them up over every mistake and fast break them into exciting losers.

 

[Rookie]

The old path was to become an assistant coach than become the head coach in the NBA. That was good then because there was a huge gab between the NBA and other leagues. But this is 2009, other basketball leagues have advanced.

 

[bajaden]

You do realize I hope that I am not necessarily in favor of getting Ettore.

Do think its an interesting idea, but bringing in a big ego from outside the NBA is playing with dynamite.

Yeah, I was able to grasp the spirit of your post, and I'm not necessarily endorsing his hire either. I was just agreeing with the concept of either you hire him as the head coach, or not. The idea of asking another coach to take him on as an assistant, while knowing he would be the eventual head coach is ridiculous.

I'm also not saying that hiring him is a bad idea, just a risky one at a time when the team need stability. It could work, or it could be a nightmare.