Petrie can see the job ahead

#1
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13006087p-13852595c.html

Mark Kreidler: Petrie can see the job ahead
While realizing that things change, he says Rick Adelman is 'a terrific coach,' and the Kings still have 'the firepower.'

By Mark Kreidler -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, June 4, 2005

There are a few items about which Geoff Petrie sounds firm in his opinion. For one, the Kings - you know, the team that isn't playing in the conference finals this week - will go forward with a core built around Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic.

For two, the Chris Webber trade was part of a purely transitional mode of operation and one that simply had to be made, because, for three, the old romantic Kings days are over, "and we've got to move on, see where we can go with this."

And Petrie will be there to see it. Because, for four - well, he'll be there.
"I'm going to finish my career in Sacramento," Petrie says, "whatever that turns out to be. I don't see myself going anywhere else. I think when I'm done here, I'll be done."

About the rest, not so much rings clear. Rick Adelman could be the coach of this team for a while, or he could be shoved out in a Phil Jackson power play.
Or, of course, Adelman could coach next season on a non-renewal basis and try to lame-duck his way through, which sounds like a recipe for crud stew.
Petrie repeatedly has stood behind Adelman, the winningest coach in Kings history, but he is far too experienced as a general manager in particular - and a basketball professional in general - to pretend naïveté about it. He knows the Maloof family contacted Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, while Petrie was recovering from an angioplasty. He knows no one informed Adelman of it, in retrospect a fairly gaudy mistake.

And Petrie knows what every NBA pro knows, which is that coaches get whacked all the time, for reasons legitimate and ludicrous, with lots of justification or no justification at all. It's a brutally normal part of the business. In other news, life goes on.

If Rick Adelman gets thrown under the bus after a season in which his roster turned over so dramatically that he had only a handful of players left from last year's conference semifinalist, it will be one of the classic overreactions of NBA ownership. But with Phil Jackson - or at least the legend of Jackson - hovering in the thought clouds, let us not say that it's inconceivable.
"It's unfortunate that whatever went on there went on, but these guys (the Maloofs) have been terrific to work for and treated everybody around here very, very well," Petrie said. "But, look, at some point everybody here is going to fade to black ...

"Not specific to (Adelman), but when changes get made, that's when you talk about them. I've said this before about other situations, but the way I approach it is, they're our people until they're not our people. I've known Rick for 30 years. He's a terrific coach. What, I'm going to stop talking to him?"
In fact, Petrie and Adelman (who has been unavailable for interviews) have been speaking every day. Together with other members of the Kings' staff, they've worked out more than two dozen players already in advance of the June 28 draft, which Petrie describes as "the NBA's version of Pick Your Favorite Stock."

And Petrie and Adelman will be heading off to Las Vegas sometime in the next couple of weeks for the Kings' annual front-office summer meeting, which ought to be one hootin' and hollerin' good time. Unless something dramatic happens between now and then, the meeting will mark the first exchange between Adelman and his employers since the Jackson story broke.
Petrie missed most of that, and you could call it an excused absence. Heeding his body's warning signs, which included a weird and constricted feeling in his chest during his four-and five-mile daily treadmill runs, Petrie called team doctor Jeff Tanji the day after the playoffs ended and wound up undergoing the angioplasty that afternoon to clear severe blockage in one artery of his heart.

That, as it turned out, was the beginning of the misery. Petrie had an allergic reaction to one of his medications and spent the next several days on his back, his body in a rash, with nothing to do but wait to feel better.
"I was big-time into the Pill Society for a while there," he says.
Now, more than a month later, Petrie is back at work and exercising regularly - and terribly grateful. Were he not a runner, he might never have experienced the chest-cold type of feeling that led to the discovery of the blockage, and instead had it creeping silently along until a much more severe situation finally developed.

As it is, Petrie has basketball-related issues to deal with, beginning with his roster's crippling lack of defensive presence and rebounding. Cuttino Mobley and Darius Songaila also are likely to opt out of their contracts, leaving Bibby, Stojakovic and Miller to form the nucleus of a new competitor.

"They're all in their primes," Petrie says of his big three. "They've all been big contributors to winning teams. They're all skilled. They're a good core.
"There was a consensus that when we traded C-Webb, we would fall off the face of the earth. When Brad got injured, we were supposed to fall off the face of the earth. We were the second-highest scoring team in the league again, even with everything that happened. We've got the firepower. We've got to improve defensively."

That, once again - and for as long as he can see it - is Geoff Petrie's job. He oversaw the emergence of a legitimate contender in Sacramento. Now comes the most difficult act: the second one.

About the writer:
Reach Mark Kreidler at (916) 321-1149 or mkreidler@sacbee.com. Back columns: www.sacbee.com/kreidler.
 
#2
Petries' being Petrie again. Does he ever really say anything?

He's running over RA with a bus??? Poor Rick;):(
 
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Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#5
Bibby_Is_Clutch said:
Petrie will figure out what needs to be done. I like Adelman but the team is more important that who you like.
Petrie has absolutely nothing to do with the Adelman rumors -- you know if it were Geoff's call, Rick would be back next year. Thing is the Maloofs seem ready to meddle a bit here, and that's going to make things dicey (for better or worse, but given Geoff's rep, quite possibly worse).
 
#6
FRom http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13006087p-13852595c.html

In fact, Petrie and Adelman (who has been unavailable for interviews) have been speaking every day. Together with other members of the Kings' staff, they've worked out more than two dozen players already in advance of the June 28 draft, which Petrie describes as "the NBA's version of Pick Your Favorite Stock."
Interesting that mention of over dozen players and we've heard next to none of their names.
 
#8
Rockmeister said:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13006087p-13852595c.html

And Petrie and Adelman will be heading off to Las Vegas sometime in the next couple of weeks for the Kings' annual front-office summer meeting, which ought to be one hootin' and hollerin' good time.

I'm wondering why they haven't met already. We have been out for a while. Petrie has been back at work. Normally, it woud not worry me that there has been no "end of the season" meeting yet; but, given all the tormoil, I think they should have already met. What tormoil you ask? 1) ultimate goal of the mid season trades, 2) Players that have opted out 3) Early exit from the PO
4) Jackson or Adleman 5)Upcoming draft [3 weeks away] and 6) LOOMING LOCKOUT.

In and of themselves the things listed above are really not that big of a deal, except may #6. However, given that all of them need to be discussed, the fact that they have yet to me makes me wonder - about what, I'm not sure. Just makes me go hmmmm.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
#9
chelle said:
I'm wondering why they haven't met already. We have been out for a while. Petrie has been back at work.
He's been back to work but was out ill for a while - I think they'll get it done soon.

Then again, they may be waiting to see what happens with the CBA first.

Who knows? I'm sure we'll hear in due time....
 
#10
This is the second Petrie interview where he's said of Rick Adelman "he is our guy until he is not our guy".

Well at least Rick isn't getting the "vote of confidence of doom". Sounds like the weakest possible way to answer the question without coming out and saying "we're looking for an exit strategy for Rick". I hope for the sake of everybody that they find a new coach soon and just try a whole new approach.

Too bad, I always liked Rick much more than the average Kings fan, but the show must go on.

Geoff DOES seem to be saying that he is NOT shopping Mike, Peja, or Brad - which surprises me since that's all we have that somebody else could possibly want.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#11
whozit said:
FRom http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13006087p-13852595c.html

Interesting that mention of over dozen players and we've heard next to none of their names.
Hoopshype keeps track of who's working out for who. Here are the guys who have been in for us (that they list) with stats and projected draft position:

May 30 -- Keith Langford, 6'4" SG Kansas, 2nd round bubble
May 28 -- Doron Perkins, 6'2" PG Santa Clara, likely undrafted
May 12 -- Mike Bell, 6'9" PF Florida Atlantic, 2nd round bubble
May 12 -- Jameel Pugh, 6'5" SG Sac State, likely undrafted
May 11 -- Ryan Gomez, 6'7" SF Providence, 1st round bubble
May 11 -- Filberto Rivera, 6'2" PG UTEP, 2nd round
May 10 -- Omar Thomas, 6'5" SG UTEP, likely undrafted
May 10 -- Dijon Thompson, 6'7" SF UCLA, late 2nd round
May 10 -- Glen McGowan, 6'9" PF Pepperdine, likely undrafted
May 6 -- Marquin Chandler, 6'7" SF San Jose St., likely undrafted
May 6 -- Quemont Greer, 6'7" SF Depaul, likely undrafted
May 6 -- Ed McCants, 6'3" PG Wisc.-Mil, likely undrafted

Now that's only a dozen guys, and only Gomez seems even remotely likely as a first round pick. And we have no 2nd rounder. So thinking the rest of those names must just be looking for summer league or training camp fodder. Anyway, the article mentioned 2 dozen, so maybe hoopshype's sources don't catch them all, and hopefully the missing dozen are the real prospects.
 
#12
Geoff DOES seem to be saying that he is NOT shopping Mike, Peja, or Brad - which surprises me since that's all we have that somebody else could possibly want.
That's Petries MO. He's never 'shopping' you until you are gone;)
 
#13
It could also be a chance to see players who likely/possibly won't be drafted and pick them up ala Erik Daniels. They could do this and neither side would have a commitment to honor or be locked into.
 
#15
Sounds to me like he'll be building around the big 3. In my opinion, I don't think that we could get anyone that would change our game dramatically, to get us to be contenders again, without shipping away at least 1 from our big 3.

Whoknows.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#16
Most of you know I've been a Kings fan since the very beginning. I love this team...

Having said that, I do not have a very good feeling at all right now about the direction my beloved team may be taking. There are so many little things adding up that do not fill me with any kind of confidence about the future.

I do NOT want Phil Jackson as our coach. In my mind he stands for everything the Kings have never been - aloof, smug, condescending, etc. Sure, some will say he's also won it all but that's not my point. I'm not a Lakers fan - although they win a lot - because I simply do not like the attitudes of the team, the coach, etc. I do NOT want the Kings to turn into the Lakers North.

I do NOT like the idea of the Maloofs continuing to raise prices although the product they're currently trying to sell is nothing like what was available as recently as a couple of years ago.

I'm not in any way enamored with the way Doug Christie and Chris Webber were treated. Yes, the NBA is a business but I personally appreciate a business that is fair to its employees. I don't think either deal took into effect the contributions those two had made to the Kings and, although I'm sure a number will disagree, I think it diminished the reputation of the Kings franchise.

I am not at all convinced the team that will take the court next year will be one that will have the same spark, joy of playing, etc. that has made it so much fun to be a fan these last years.

In the 20 years since 1985, I've felt a lot of things - joy, dispair, elation, more dispair, heartbreak, etc. What I've never felt before is ennui - and I don't like the idea of feeling it now. I'm actually at the point where I don't know if I care about any further personnel moves, etc. and that's a really scary feeling for someone who loves the game as much as I do and has loved this team since the beginning.

I don't think I'm alone. I think the Maloofs need to do something to win back the hearts of the long-time fans - and I think they need to do it quickly.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#17
ForlornKing said:
Sounds to me like he'll be building around the big 3. In my opinion, I don't think that we could get anyone that would change our game dramatically, to get us to be contenders again, without shipping away at least 1 from our big 3.

Whoknows.
Blinders off for a moment?

Mike Bibby is a good guy and pretty good PG, but he NEEDS a PF to complement his abilities. He had it with Webber; he doesn't have it right now.

Peja? I no longer view him as a keystone player. He's a role player; a very good one, but not one you build your team around.

Brad? He's a center that can't jump; doesn't do a lot of shot blocking; is average on rebounding. Yes, he has a mid-range jumper but is that really a premiere need for a center? His passing has shown hints of brilliance. I can only hope that improves and, once completely healthy - which he almost never is - maybe he'll get back to being the player a lot of us hoped he would be.

Our "big 3" isn't a championship core, IMHO. They're good enough, with luck, to get the team to the playoffs but they aren't good enough to compete with the Spurs, Pistons, etc. teams that are much better balanced.

Our days in the spotlight are over for now, IMHO. There's a lot of work to be done to resolve the problems, regardless of how rosy Petrie and the Maloofs may be trying to paint the picture.
 
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#18
VF21 said:
I'm not in any way enamored with the way Doug Christie and Chris Webber were treated. Yes, the NBA is a business but I personally appreciate a business that is fair to its employees. I don't think either deal took into effect the contributions those two had made to the Kings and, although I'm sure a number will disagree, I think it diminished the reputation of the Kings franchise.
I agree with your post and these words in particular^, but beyond being emotional about it, I also think they were bad business decisions. We are definately less talented, still over the cap, and IMO stuck with some contracts that collectively are almost as bad as Webbers was. I think we are going to have trouble making moves this offseason because of it, and If we don't trade 1 of the big 3 we really have very little to offer any other teams. I like Kevin, I like Mo, and I even like Skinner and Thomas. They all have upsides... they are good role players, they would make a decent bench for us along with Bobby and Tag in an Ideal world... but If I have to read one more post that if these guys start we are going to be unstoppable next year I think I'm going to puke. Is that how far we have fallen? Petrie had better do something to improve this team going into next season or we are going to have trouble even making the playoffs in the "new" west. We aren't even a .500 basketball team since we traded Webb, and are an even worse defensive team(was that even possible?) since trading Doug, that's got to change.
 
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#19
I have to say that I agree with much of what VF said, in particular the comments about the treatment of Christie and Webber in regards to their trade and the feeling of ennui regarding more personnel changes. I have LOVED this team passionately for many years. This is the first off season where I do not even know what I want or we need to happen. I am loathe to get attached to any other players because I have NO IDEA who will be on the team next season AND I find myself willing to trade any of them to get better. I find myself less enamored by the Maloofs and Pertie, not due to our early exit in the PO, but because of the treatment of our players and coach.
Nobody is denying that we needed and still need to make changes. I just disagree with how they happened. Personally, I think the Christie trade hurt us more than anything as a franchise.
I am sad over the direction we appear to be moving in. I hope that they have a "Master Plan" that I can't seem to wrap my mind around to return us not only to contenders but a team with a spirit that makes players want to stay around, fans to line up for tickets, and the league to respect.

Petrie did it once, let's hope he can do it again.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#21
chelle said:
I am sad over the direction we appear to be moving in. I hope that they have a "Master Plan" that I can't seem to wrap my mind around to return us not only to contenders but a team with a spirit that makes players want to stay around, fans to line up for tickets, and the league to respect.

Petrie did it once, let's hope he can do it again.
A team with SPIRIT ... that's the bottom line for me.

Nice post.
 
#23
I think VF21's assessment of the current situation with the Kings is clinically accurate based on available data. My assessment, being generally optimistic about life, and having cultured an unemotional approach, I believe that most of us have been expecting the worst. Because we have invested so much emotion in this, we may have become too pesimistic. It is entirely possible that everything will turn out OK despite our misgivings.

Sacramento may well get a new basketball arena. There are thousands of citizens living in this region that really want a new arena to be constructed. The issue will not go away.

The Kings are probably only one dominant player from being a serious contender in the West again. Our injured players are back, and perhaps the existing squad will improve with severla weeks of determined practice.

I think that the infamous meeting between the Maloofs and Phil Jackson's people has been grossly over-blown. I also suspect that Joe Maloof underestimated the public response to such a meeting. I would bet money that old Pickle Puss will never be the coach of the Kings. (that is unless the team moves to Las Vegas)

Most people abhor confusion and uncertainty more than outright misfortune. Uncertainty and flux is exactly where we are right now. It is important to remember that nothing this bad can last that long. The upcoming management meeting in Lost Wages should clear the air considerably. :)

 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#24
You know me pretty well, qd, having exchanged comments, thoughts, etc. for a considerable time around here...

And there is The Day of the Wine Tasting! :D

I don't think I'm pessimistic quite yet. I'm just no longer optimistic, and for me that's a significant change...

My mind keeps trying to tell me things well get better, but my heart is saying not to get too attached to anything any more because nothing is certain. And that, I think, is the whole crux of the matter. It's the uncertainty about EVERYTHING - from players to coaches to the arena to even if the team will stay in Sacramento - that has me dissembling from the whole situation. I don't like the feeling but I'm having to acknowledge it.

You said:

Nothing this bad can last that long.
I'm counting on that to be true. I can handle the good OR the bad. It's the not knowing that is pure torture.
 
#25
I agree with all of you. We shouldn't be making small changes in our line-up. Someone said that we are 1 star away from championship contenders, and this is true. We need a PF. Petrie should do all that he can to get Garnett, and keep Bibby.
 
T

thesanityannex

Guest
#26
Bricklayer said:
. Anyway, the article mentioned 2 dozen, so maybe hoopshype's sources don't catch them all, and hopefully the missing dozen are the real prospects.
I hope you're right, because I don't see a single prospect there.
 
T

thesanityannex

Guest
#27
VF21 said:
I think we've got enough threads about possible changes or returns to the lineup. I, for one, would like to see more discussion of what people are actually feeling about the future of the team and their involvement with it.

Just my three cents, of course...
Well here are my thoughts. The Webber trade, regardless of the morality issues, was done for the better of the team, even though we cannot see the results yet. And as much as we like to pretend to know why it was done, and who we will get, we don't know. Some people on here seem really down about next year's season. I am actually more excited than ever because of all the uncertainty. It has been awhile since the Kings have been in this position and I am liking it. All the rumors of a new coach, landing a superstar, breaking the "core" etc, are signs, even if they don't happen, that the team is going to be changing. Hopefully for the better, but if not, they are still the one and only KINGS and I will follow them faithfully.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#28
thesanityannex said:
Well here are my thoughts. The Webber trade, regardless of the morality issues, was done for the better of the team, even though we cannot see the results yet. And as much as we like to pretend to know why it was done, and who we will get, we don't know. Some people on here seem really down about next year's season. I am actually more excited than ever because of all the uncertainty. It has been awhile since the Kings have been in this position and I am liking it. All the rumors of a new coach, landing a superstar, breaking the "core" etc, are signs, even if they don't happen, that the team is going to be changing. Hopefully for the better, but if not, they are still the one and only KINGS and I will follow them faithfully.
The Webber trade was done for financial reasons, pure and simple. The Maloofs and Petrie have made that abundantly clear. Was it for the better of the team? We don't know that for sure.

Yes, I'm down about the chances of next year's team. I'm down because almost everything I truly loved about this team is changing. It wasn't just the name that made the Kings so special, so much fun to watch, so much fun to be a part of. If it continues to get worse, then I don't know if I'll be able to follow them with the same enthusiasm I've had for the past 20 years.

I'm truly glad you say you'll follow them faithfully and I hope you'll be able to stay true to that comment.

There is a shift in the fan base right now, because there are a lot of people who feel - more or less - the same way I do. I hope Petrie is able to do something to bring back the optimism and I hope whatever team takes the floor in November is able to rekindle the torch. I hope that with every fiber of my being but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was more concerned right now than I've been since the beginning.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#30
Apparently watching an elite team plummet into mediocrity is much better than watching a perennial cellar dweller climb to the heights and earn the respect of the entire league...

:rolleyes: