Petrie: Kings will not be hurried

[Rockmeister]

Petrie: Kings will not be hurried
His next step in the search for a new coach will be a talk with the Maloofs.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/172779.html

Last Updated 12:06 am PDT Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3

Print | E-Mail | Comments (3)

Geoff Petrie returned from his two-week voyage Monday night, having trekked from Athens to Munich to San Francisco before driving back to Sacramento as he ended his scouting trip in Europe.

"Nothing like a 21-hour day of traveling," the Kings' basketball president said Tuesday afternoon.

It was the perfect tone-setter for a coaching search that might be a lengthy one.

Petrie said the Kings have no urgency in filling the job, reiterating what he said April 20 at the news conference announcing Eric Musselman's firing as head coach. And though he said he received plenty of voice mails regarding the opening, no interviews have been scheduled. The next step, Petrie said, will be to meet with co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof later this week in Sacramento or Las Vegas.

"I'll sit and talk with them and see how we want to go about approaching it this year and move forward from there," Petrie said. "Beyond that, I can't tell you whether we'll have a coach next week or maybe six weeks from now or seven weeks from now."

The coaching carousel is spinning a bit faster than it was last year, when the Kings were the only team looking for a coach after not re-signing Rick Adelman. This offseason there are four others -- Memphis, Seattle, Indiana and Charlotte -- and possibly more.

Jeff Van Gundy is reportedly close to leaving Houston, Sam Mitchell might not return to Toronto, and Brian Hill might be out in Orlando after taking the Magic to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

The competition for potential candidates was apparent while Petrie was gone. Big names such as Larry Brown and Stan Van Gundy interviewed in Memphis and Charlotte, respectively, while up-and-comers such as Reggie Theus also sat down with Bobcats executives.

There's more on Petrie's to-do list, as the Kings' lottery pick for the June draft comes with added importance, and he has a roster that might be overhauled. Trades might come before a new coach, with teams out of the playoffs free to deal among each other.

A trade also could play a key role in the coaching search, with at least one available big name wary of Sacramento only because of small forward Ron Artest's presence. By all appearances, moving Artest is a priority, although the Kings are expected to continue shopping point guard Mike Bibby as they did before the trade deadline in February.

The search also could extend through the postseason should Petrie want to talk to the likes of assistant coaches Terry Porter (Detroit), Marc Iavaroni (Phoenix), P.J. Carlesimo (San Antonio) and others.

"You really have to wait until their teams are done playing," Petrie said. "Nobody's going to give you permission anyway if you try and get involved and they're trying to coach their team."

Petrie also said he plans to meet individually this week with the seven-person staff of former Musselman assistants and video personnel, whose status has been in limbo since the season's end.

Many of them -- if not all -- have one year remaining on their contracts and would be paid if they're released. It's also believed lead assistant Scott Brooks is a candidate in the search that now has begun.

About the writer:

* The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.

 

[Vlade4GM]

A trade also could play a key role in the coaching search, with at least one available big name wary of Sacramento only because of small forward Ron Artest's presence. By all appearances, moving Artest is a priority, although the Kings are expected to continue shopping point guard Mike Bibby as they did before the trade deadline in February.

Get it done Petrie. Just get it done.

 

[Kingster]

Petrie: Kings will not be hurried
His next step in the search for a new coach will be a talk with the Maloofs.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/172779.html

Last Updated 12:06 am PDT Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3

Print | E-Mail | Comments (3)

Geoff Petrie returned from his two-week voyage Monday night, having trekked from Athens to Munich to San Francisco before driving back to Sacramento as he ended his scouting trip in Europe.

"Nothing like a 21-hour day of traveling," the Kings' basketball president said Tuesday afternoon.

It was the perfect tone-setter for a coaching search that might be a lengthy one.

Petrie said the Kings have no urgency in filling the job, reiterating what he said April 20 at the news conference announcing Eric Musselman's firing as head coach. And though he said he received plenty of voice mails regarding the opening, no interviews have been scheduled. The next step, Petrie said, will be to meet with co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof later this week in Sacramento or Las Vegas.

"I'll sit and talk with them and see how we want to go about approaching it this year and move forward from there," Petrie said. "Beyond that, I can't tell you whether we'll have a coach next week or maybe six weeks from now or seven weeks from now."

The coaching carousel is spinning a bit faster than it was last year, when the Kings were the only team looking for a coach after not re-signing Rick Adelman. This offseason there are four others -- Memphis, Seattle, Indiana and Charlotte -- and possibly more.

Jeff Van Gundy is reportedly close to leaving Houston, Sam Mitchell might not return to Toronto, and Brian Hill might be out in Orlando after taking the Magic to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

The competition for potential candidates was apparent while Petrie was gone. Big names such as Larry Brown and Stan Van Gundy interviewed in Memphis and Charlotte, respectively, while up-and-comers such as Reggie Theus also sat down with Bobcats executives.

There's more on Petrie's to-do list, as the Kings' lottery pick for the June draft comes with added importance, and he has a roster that might be overhauled. Trades might come before a new coach, with teams out of the playoffs free to deal among each other.

A trade also could play a key role in the coaching search, with at least one available big name wary of Sacramento only because of small forward Ron Artest's presence. By all appearances, moving Artest is a priority, although the Kings are expected to continue shopping point guard Mike Bibby as they did before the trade deadline in February.

The search also could extend through the postseason should Petrie want to talk to the likes of assistant coaches Terry Porter (Detroit), Marc Iavaroni (Phoenix), P.J. Carlesimo (San Antonio) and others.

"You really have to wait until their teams are done playing," Petrie said. "Nobody's going to give you permission anyway if you try and get involved and they're trying to coach their team."

Petrie also said he plans to meet individually this week with the seven-person staff of former Musselman assistants and video personnel, whose status has been in limbo since the season's end.

Many of them -- if not all -- have one year remaining on their contracts and would be paid if they're released. It's also believed lead assistant Scott Brooks is a candidate in the search that now has begun.

Petrie is in no hurry to fill the coaching position because good candidates are in no hurry to take the job. It could take weeks before he hires someone because it could take weeks to trade Artest and others to make this job somewhat appealing. He's also talking as if all potential coaching candidates are currently involved in the playoffs. I guess that's right if you count the guys watching it on TV.

It's interesting that Petrie is going to be sitting down with "them" (the Maloofs) again to see how they want to approach hiring the new guy. I thought Gavin said Petrie was the one who is responsible for the new hire?

 

[nbrans]

I'd have to think trades wouldn't happen until after the draft lottery so teams can see where they stand and know what picks they have to trade, but after that is hopefully when the fun begins.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I'd have to think trades wouldn't happen until after the draft lottery so teams can see where they stand and know what picks they have to trade, but after that is hopefully when the fun begins.

Fun indeed! Bring it on!

 

[Superman]

It's interesting that Petrie is going to be sitting down with "them" (the Maloofs) again to see how they want to approach hiring the new guy. I thought Gavin said Petrie was the one who is responsible for the new hire?

The head coach is the face of the franchise. The owners are going to have input on one level or another. Let's just hope the Maloof's are going to trust Petrie's judgment to get the best man for the job.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Yeah, meeting about the general direcion of the franchise isn't a bad thing. Meeting, giving the Maloofs his list of candidates, and letting them make the call, would be.

 

[Warhawk]

I'd have to think trades wouldn't happen until after the draft lottery so teams can see where they stand and know what picks they have to trade, but after that is hopefully when the fun begins.

Agreed. I think many more coaches might be interested in Sac if Artest is gone and Oden is on his way....

 

[KevinSalvadori]

Petrie has reportedly been high on Carlisle through a series of hirings dating back to the Eddie Jordan days. This just confirms that he is still on his list.

 

[Rockmeister]

Petrie has reportedly been high on Carlisle through a series of hirings dating back to the Eddie Jordan days. This just confirms that he is still on his list.

I hope not. I don't like Carlisle.

 

[Wuster]

Petrie said the Kings have no urgency in filling the job, reiterating what he said April 20 at the news conference announcing Eric Musselman's firing as head coach. And though he said he received plenty of voice mails regarding the opening, no interviews have been scheduled.

"I'll sit and talk with them and see how we want to go about approaching it this year and move forward from there," Petrie said. "Beyond that, I can't tell you whether we'll have a coach next week or maybe six weeks from now or seven weeks from now."

The competition for potential candidates was apparent while Petrie was gone. Big names such as Larry Brown and Stan Van Gundy interviewed in Memphis and Charlotte, respectively, while up-and-comers such as Reggie Theus also sat down with Bobcats executives.

The search also could extend through the postseason should Petrie want to talk to the likes of assistant coaches Terry Porter (Detroit), Marc Iavaroni (Phoenix), P.J. Carlesimo (San Antonio) and others.

"You really have to wait until their teams are done playing," Petrie said. "Nobody's going to give you permission anyway if you try and get involved and they're trying to coach their team."

Petrie also said he plans to meet individually this week with the seven-person staff of former Musselman assistants and video personnel, whose status has been in limbo since the season's end.

Many of them -- if not all -- have one year remaining on their contracts and would be paid if they're released. It's also believed lead assistant Scott Brooks is a candidate in the search that now has begun.

This more or less tells me that SVG, Brown and Theus aren't under serious consideration. Another team might snap them up (for better or worse) while Petrie and company go through the deliberate hiring decision/process.

 

[Elise10]

It's interesting that Petrie is going to be sitting down with "them" (the Maloofs) again to see how they want to approach hiring the new guy. I thought Gavin said Petrie was the one who is responsible for the new hire?

Petrie meets with the Maloofs at least once every offseason to discuss the direction of the team.

 

[sidney]

Petrie has reportedly been high on Carlisle through a series of hirings dating back to the Eddie Jordan days. This just confirms that he is still on his list.

Yeah $10 says the "at least one available big name wary of Sacramento only because of small forward Ron Artest's presence" is Carlisle. Ron is not in the long term plans regardless so if Carlisle is the best guy, then Ron goes. I would like the move.

 

[SacTownKid]

Petrie is in no hurry to fill the coaching position because good candidates are in no hurry to take the job. It could take weeks before he hires someone because it could take weeks to trade Artest and others to make this job somewhat appealing. He's also talking as if all potential coaching candidates are currently involved in the playoffs. I guess that's right if you count the guys watching it on TV.

It's interesting that Petrie is going to be sitting down with "them" (the Maloofs) again to see how they want to approach hiring the new guy. I thought Gavin said Petrie was the one who is responsible for the new hire?

I'd go back and do a little research on Petrie's beliefs on the matter because you know what they say about assumptions.

 

[SacKings384]

It's never good to play the hurry game, but it's not good to wait too long. It's like a bag of popcorn... Bring it out too soon and you have hard kernels that break your teeth, take it out too late and it's burnt to a crisp... Need to wait til it's just right... If that made any sense...

 

[fnordius]

I hope not. I don't like Carlisle.

Me either. I'm fine with trading Artest regardless, but Carlisle is definitely not on my wish list. Neither is Jeff Van Gundy, for most of the same reasons.

 

[SacKings384]

Me either. I'm fine with trading Artest regardless, but Carlisle is definitely not on my wish list. Neither is Jeff Van Gundy, for most of the same reasons.

Co-Signed

 

[tyrant]

just hire someone that has a winning record as a head coach. forget this nickel and dime b/s. bring it. im not a fan of losing

 

[Rockmeister]

im not a fan of losing

I don't think anyone is a fan of losing regardless of who the coach is.

 

[nbrans]

I'm sort of coming around to the Carlisle idea. I know people don't like the style of offense he favors, with the emphasis on half-court play, but look, that's the style that wins in the playoffs every single time. The Spurs play it, the Jazz play it, the Suns can play it when they're not running, Detroit plays it. Run and gun is fine for the regular season (and apparently the occasional first round upset), but if you're going to win a title you're going to have to know how to grind it out in the half court. That style isn't the most fun to watch during the regular season, but hey, you'd better have practice playing that way if you're going to hope to win in the playoffs.

Carlisle knows how to win. He's been a winner in two places. Now, it's of some concern that he's worn out his welcome for two teams, but maybe with the right backing from the front office, which he has never had, it would work.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I'm sort of coming around to the Carlisle idea. I know people don't like the style of offense he favors, with the emphasis on half-court play, but look, that's the style that wins in the playoffs every single time. The Spurs play it, the Jazz play it, the Suns can play it when they're not running, Detroit plays it. Run and gun is fine for the regular season (and apparently the occasional first round upset), but if you're going to win a title you're going to have to know how to grind it out in the half court. That style isn't the most fun to watch during the regular season, but hey, you'd better have practice playing that way if you're going to hope to win in the playoffs.

Carlisle knows how to win. He's been a winner in two places. Now, it's of some concern that he's worn out his welcome for two teams, but maybe with the right backing from the front office, which he has never had, it would work.

I think the idea is versatility of being able to run both offenses if need be. I'm all for that. Don't know much about Carlisle though.

 

[Superman]

I think the idea is versatility of being able to run both offenses if need be. I'm all for that. Don't know much about Carlisle though.

You need the players, first. I don't care how open-minded the coach is if the players aren't capable of executing, either in the open court or on the break.

And by the way, the general concensus is that Carlisle won't let his teams push tempo, and that's just not true. The Pistons would run when the opportunity presented itself. They weren't the Suns; they'd actually box out on the defensive glass before taking off down the court. But they were excellent at blocking shots and getting steals, and they'd run and get a lot of points off turnovers. That was actually their best offense while Carlisle was there.

The Pacers didn't run as much, but that's probably because their best player was a post up guy. So you slow the game down, pound the middle, and hope your style beats their style. That's just playing to your strengths. Besides, Jamaal Tinsley has never been the type of guy you want making a lot of decisions.

I think that if Carlisle had the opportunity to coach a team that could effectively capitalize in the open court, he would encourage them to push tempo. But the most effective way of doing that is by playing solid defense and shutting the other team down on the offensive glass. The Kings probably won't be capable of either next season, not without some serious roster changes.

 

[Kingster]

I'd go back and do a little research on Petrie's beliefs on the matter because you know what they say about assumptions.

Please tell me Petrie's beliefs. Does he have beliefs?

 

[Vlade4GM]

You need the players, first. I don't care how open-minded the coach is if the players aren't capable of executing, either in the open court or on the break.

And by the way, the general concensus is that Carlisle won't let his teams push tempo, and that's just not true. The Pistons would run when the opportunity presented itself. They weren't the Suns; they'd actually box out on the defensive glass before taking off down the court. But they were excellent at blocking shots and getting steals, and they'd run and get a lot of points off turnovers. That was actually their best offense while Carlisle was there.

The Pacers didn't run as much, but that's probably because their best player was a post up guy. So you slow the game down, pound the middle, and hope your style beats their style. That's just playing to your strengths. Besides, Jamaal Tinsley has never been the type of guy you want making a lot of decisions.

I think that if Carlisle had the opportunity to coach a team that could effectively capitalize in the open court, he would encourage them to push tempo. But the most effective way of doing that is by playing solid defense and shutting the other team down on the offensive glass. The Kings probably won't be capable of either next season, not without some serious roster changes.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Bricklayer]

I think people are kidding themselves if they think Rick Carlisle is goign to let a team uptempo -- he seeks control above all else, of the pace, of who shoots etc. etc. Anything that's free flwoing and out of his control he is uncomfortable with. His pace ratings, at both Detroit and Indiana, have been 90.9, 88.7, 88.8, 90.9, 91.3, and whatever it was last year. For comparison Van Gundy in Houston has been between 89-91. That's bottom 5 in the league stuff. His team last year averaged 95.6pts -- by far the highest in his coaching career (and offset by the 98.0 going back the other way), and I think clearly the result of him losing control of the team, and his preferred style of play, to crappy results. If he were to show up he WOULD take the air out of the ball -- its what he does. Expecting him to in any significant way run the ball is like hiring Nellie and expecting him to run halfcourt sets focused on post play.

But that's a stylistic point -- ugly ball to be sure. But he nevertheless has gotten results...for a while. Made the playoffs 5 of 6 years, and even after the recent struggles he's still a career 281-209, a .573 win%. I think there's a question...beyond a question actually -- a pattern -- of his players getting sick of micromanagement within two years. But he is to Muss as a Lamborghini is to a Yugo: if you're going to be a contol freak stats crazed accountant of a basketball coach, Carlisle's the gold standard. Its ugly, there will be chemistry issues sooner or later, Kevin et. al. will have to get used to playing with a ball and chain on his ankle, but you know you have a pro, and a guy who has won and coached teams deep into the playoffs. This is what we got when we hired Rick all those years ago: the proven winner. That's a lot rarer than people think in the NBA.

I actually have real doubts whether Carlisle can/will ever win a title for the same reasons I doubt Van Gundy will: lack of imagination. But in our position, a stablizer who can just get us back on the right track is infinitely preferable than the risk of looking for a 4th coach in 4 years come next summer. Like the Pistons, you can always can Carlisle in the future if he's made you a winner, but is stalled out and grating on his players somewhere below the mountaintop. But first things first.

 

[nbrans]

^Kevin might actually be a guy who would thrive in Carlisle's system because he's such a play-within-the-offense kind of guy. It almost took an Act of God for him to be more assertive on offense last year and look for his own shot outside of Muss' offense. About the only thing that seemed to grate on him with Muss was the stupid benchings -- I don't think I've watched Carlisle's teams closely enough to know whether he's the type of guy who will sit a guy for a bad shooting perfomance.

 

[Bricklayer]

^Kevin might actually be a guy who would thrive in Carlisle's system because he's such a play-within-the-offense kind of guy. It almost took an Act of God for him to be more assertive on offense last year and look for his own shot outside of Muss' offense. About the only thing that seemed to grate on him with Muss was the stupid benchings -- I don't think I've watched Carlisle's teams closely enough to know whether he's the type of guy who will sit a guy for a bad shooting perfomance.

Kevin would no doubt get the Reggie Miller role, and I think would benefit from the structure and well defined expectations. On the other hand the open court stuff would largely disappear. Probably largely a wash, but with fewer easy scores and more significant scores.

You would have to confirm with an Indianaite, but my impression of Carlisle is that he will not hesitate to bench you if you are playing poorly. All part of the I-coach-like-this-is-a-computer-game approach. If true it should appeal to the Maloofs. Also likely part of the reason players grow tired of him.

 

[quick dog]

Don't you think that any prospective coach who would turn down an NBA coaching job because of the mere presence of Ron Artest could not be much of a coach? Sounds a little wimpy to me. I think it shows a lack of self-confidence.

I would assume that a top-quality prospective basketball coach could insist on some language in his contract requiring limited owner-support in the event of a major player personality problem. Then again, I would assume that any prospective coach might casually indicate a preference to Petrie not to coach Ron Artest. Petrie's comment regarding Artest implies that he has indeed spoken with at least one prospective coache regardless of what he stated about postponing interviews.

because of rules (?) or at least management etiquette, I assume that he has not spoken with any coaches still involved in the playoffs. Therefore, do his recent comments imply that he has spoken with an NBA coach who is no longer in the playoffs. That would seem to narrow the field of Petrie's favorites at this point.

Interpreting the cryptic remarks of an NBA "shaman" can be fun.

 

[Kingster]

I think people are kidding themselves if they think Rick Carlisle is goign to let a team uptempo -- he seeks control above all else, of the pace, of who shoots etc. etc. Anything that's free flwoing and out of his control he is uncomfortable with. His pace ratings, at both Detroit and Indiana, have been 90.9, 88.7, 88.8, 90.9, 91.3, and whatever it was last year. For comparison Van Gundy in Houston has been between 89-91. That's bottom 5 in the league stuff. His team last year averaged 95.6pts -- by far the highest in his coaching career (and offset by the 98.0 going back the other way), and I think clearly the result of him losing control of the team, and his preferred style of play, to crappy results. If he were to show up he WOULD take the air out of the ball -- its what he does. Expecting him to in any significant way run the ball is like hiring Nellie and expecting him to run halfcourt sets focused on post play.

But that's a stylistic point -- ugly ball to be sure. But he nevertheless has gotten results...for a while. Made the playoffs 5 of 6 years, and even after the recent struggles he's still a career 281-209, a .573 win%. I think there's a question...beyond a question actually -- a pattern -- of his players getting sick of micromanagement within two years. But he is to Muss as a Lamborghini is to a Yugo: if you're going to be a contol freak stats crazed accountant of a basketball coach, Carlisle's the gold standard. Its ugly, there will be chemistry issues sooner or later, Kevin et. al. will have to get used to playing with a ball and chain on his ankle, but you know you have a pro, and a guy who has won and coached teams deep into the playoffs. This is what we got when we hired Rick all those years ago: the proven winner. That's a lot rarer than people think in the NBA.

I actually have real doubts whether Carlisle can/will ever win a title for the same reasons I doubt Van Gundy will: lack of imagination. But in our position, a stablizer who can just get us back on the right track is infinitely preferable than the risk of looking for a 4th coach in 4 years come next summer. Like the Pistons, you can always can Carlisle in the future if he's made you a winner, but is stalled out and grating on his players somewhere below the mountaintop. But first things first.

Well, if we're going to get Carlisle, we might as well keep our slowest players - SAR, Bibby, Miller, Salmons - and trade Martin and Garcia for a bigger, slower SG, a big slow 3, then we can draft Hibbert, and we can all watch paint dry at Arco arena. I'd really like to know what good NBA point guard would ever want to play for a micro-manager like Carlisle? If you have a young point guard, Carlisle is going to stunt his growth by constantly pulling his strings; if you have a vet point guard, he's going to want to leave in FA as soon as possible. Please, please no.

 

[Kingster]

Don't you think that any prospective coach who would turn down an NBA coaching job because of the mere presence of Ron Artest could not be much of a coach? Sounds a little wimpy to me. I think it shows a lack of self-confidence.

Just the opposite. If a coaching candidate wants to come to Sacto to coach Artest, he's either an idiot, or he's desperate. Either way, he should be immediately disqualified. On the other hand, a coaching candidate should get many points for saying upfront to management that there's no way on God's green earth that he's going to be the Kings coach with Ron Artest on the team.