At the moment, I think there's a lot of conflict within the orginization. As James Jones pointed out in his brief article on Cousins being reinstated, Smart immediately said that doesn't mean he's going to play right away. That doesn't sound like a comment from a coach that was on board with the reinstatement. And, no one in the orginization took responsibility for taking Cousins off suspension. Who authorized it? Petrie? The Maloof's? Did Cousins new agent apply some pressure related to Cousins future with the team? I don't have any answers to those questions, but the fact that you can ask them, shows what a mess the Kings have become.
I've heard rumors from within the orginization that Petrie, and the Maloofs are in disagreement on the direction the franchise should take. Apparently one wants to bring in more experienced players, and the other wants to keep building through the draft. I've heard there are other issues as well. Petrie's contract ends this year, and unless some major changes take place within the orginization, I don't think he'll be around next year, and I suspect its more his choice than the Maloofs. My personal opinion is that he's tired of having his name dragged through the mud. Having his name attached to the Kings is not doing his reputation any good.
Smart isn't a stupid man. He knows basketball. So its no surprise to me that he would know the deficiences of the team. Lets be honest, he inherited a poorly put together team. Too many guards, and a thin, undersized frontcourt. Some of the players function better in a halfcourt game, which I think best suits Cousins. And some of the players function better in a up tempo game, which I think best suits Tyreke. So there you have one of the problems to start with. Two stars, but each one plays better in a different style than the other. Can either of them play both styles? Sure, but its not their strength, and a good coach tries to design an offense that allows players to play to their strengths. Just how do you do that with this team?
Plus, this is a very young team. Yeah, I know some of you don't want to hear that, and regard it as excuse making. But facts are facts, and this is a young team, and, a young team needs a teaching coach. Someone that can mold them together, similiar to what the Thunder have done. Of course, in the case of the Thunder, all the pieces fit together well. There's a nice balance to their team. Doesn't hurt to have Durant on you team though. So while I don't think Smart is stupid, I also don't think he's a good coach. He makes hairbrained moves that just astound me at times. Like having four players on the floor at the same time that can't shoot the ball. Like having JT sitting on the bench with just a couple of fouls in the fourth quarter, and were getting murdered on the boards and second chance points with Hayes and Robinson in the game.
If you take the time to read the newspapers around the league, you find that the Kings are the laughing stock of the NBA. People are flipping coins to decide which team is worse, the Kings or the Wizards. Sacramento has become a joke, and its a damm shame. I don't have any answers other than Stern stepping in and bringing some sanity to the whole affair by forcing the Maloofs to sell, and hopefully to a local owner. It will be interesting to see how this latest Cousins saga plays out. Last season Smart hung his star on Cousins. The last coach that butted heads with Cousins lost. Normally, I'd say that Smart is safe in this area, but if he keeps losing, who knows?
