Sac Bee: Kings might make coaching change (Voison Article)

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Yes, there were boos. Yes, there was another defeat. So, yes, after Tuesday's 102-97 loss to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, this is the time to start asking whether the Kings have tuned out coach Rick Adelman, the man whose soft, scratchy voice resonated throughout this building for the better part of eight seasons, and if so, how long before team president Geoff Petrie joins the crowd and pursues a change.

Go ahead and ask. Typically, he still isn't talking.
"Rick is our coach until he is no longer our coach," Petrie said late Tuesday, his face flushed, and carefully choosing his words. "That's the way it's always been." True, except that when it comes to performance, it has never been this bad under Adelman, neither statistically (7-11) nor emotionally. The Kings have become a chore, the late shift at Arco Arena a real drag. For the price of a ticket - oh, wait, they gain free admission - the Kings continue sleepwalking through vast stretches of their exercises, expending effort and energy selectively, displaying a stunning lack of enthusiasm, and otherwise behaving in a manner fit for neither Kings nor their fans.

LINK
 
I have tried to hold off on the whole firing Rick Adelman, because he did not create this mess. Right now the whole organization has a funky virus like vibe within, and it all started with....

1. The Maloofs contacting Phil Jackson behind Adelman's back
2. Adelman coaching in "lame duck status".
2. Adelman trying to defend himself through the media after the season
in regards to the Maloofs challenge for more defense.
3. Geoff Petrie handcuffing Adelman to this roster, especially the bench.
4. Adelman declaring at the beginning of training camp that this was going
to be a work in progress, setting the tone for failure at the beginning.

Then you add the arena issue, Mike Bibby's off the court problems in the community....THAT LEADS TO WHERE WE ARE, 7-11, A THREE GAME HOME LOSING STREAK AND IF THE KINGS DO NOT WIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT, ADELMAN WILL BE FIRED. :(

IMHO, I believe that Adelman's life span has ended in Sacramento whether he is replaced now or at the end of the season. Because although the players around him has changed for the most part; Stojakovic, Bibby and Miller are still here and they are the biggest problem of them all. I do not believe those three guys are not playing for their coach, especially Bibby. His whole on the court demeanor is just foul. He has stopped playing for his coach. And when the leaders and veterans stop playing everybody else falls in line.

The feeling in the Kings atmosphere feels alot like when Chris Webber got traded. Like you knew something was going to happen.
 
Can someone post the whole article? I am assuming this is an AV article, but I would like to see the whole article if possible. I know there is a link but I have not registered for sacbee.com.


Edit: If that was the whole article then nevermind...
 
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13949621p-14784268c.html

Ailene Voisin: Something must change - and quickly


By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Story appeared in Sports section, Page C1


Yes, there were boos.

Yes, there was another defeat.

So, yes, after Tuesday's 102-97 loss to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, this is the time to start asking whether the Kings have tuned out coach Rick Adelman, the man whose soft, scratchy voice resonated throughout this building for the better part of eight seasons, and if so, how long before team president Geoff Petrie joins the crowd and pursues a change.


Go ahead and ask. Typically, he still isn't talking.

"Rick is our coach until he is no longer our coach," Petrie said late Tuesday, his face flushed, and carefully choosing his words. "That's the way it's always been."

True, except that when it comes to performance, it has never been this bad under Adelman, neither statistically (7-11) nor emotionally. The Kings have become a chore, the late shift at Arco Arena a real drag. For the price of a ticket - oh, wait, they gain free admission - the Kings continue sleepwalking through vast stretches of their exercises, expending effort and energy selectively, displaying a stunning lack of enthusiasm, and otherwise behaving in a manner fit for neither Kings nor their fans.

There was a time when Arco seethed with genuine passion, the clamor overwhelming even the nauseating, unnecessary fan prompts that spoil the mood. There was a time - almost all of the time, in fact - when the Kings compensated for their familiar defensive lapses with sharp, precise offense, and with a commitment to both the coach and the system.

But this is different, this is new.

The Kings are confused, sloppy, uninspired.

The masses are huddled, restless and bored - and everyone else is just really ticked off.

The general sentiment regarding the team right now appears to be one mostly of anger, and mostly, because the intensity level has sputtered ever since the opening tip in Oklahoma City. Around here, winning and losing is only slightly less important than appearing to care about winning and losing, but at these prices, even undying affection comes with a sticker. Given the current state of affairs, including three consecutive home losses and subpar production from Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and especially Peja Stojakovic, the three players projected as the club's foundation, someone within the organization better start sending roses, picking up the dinner check, or purchasing round-trip tickets to the Bahamas.

Courtside seats no longer even guarantee a kiss. Keep this up, tickets will be plentiful, and at reduced prices. Someone better do something.

"I think we're letting our fans down," said Bibby, "and we've got to change it around. I think we could have hustled a little bit more. This is frustrating and I'm really pissed off."

Adelman, who acknowledged Monday that he sensed his job security shrinking with each loss, looks beaten down. Petrie looks beaten up. Longtime acquaintances, both men understand how the game is played, that there comes a point during every coach's tenure when expectations are unfulfilled, players no longer respond, and someone else comes in.

Is this that time? Is the Adelman finale nearing?

It certainly appears so, for the names of available candidates to receive mention, among them Don Nelson, Kevin McHale, Rick Majerus, Don Chaney, and perhaps even Monarchs coach John Whisenant, cited by Sports Illustrated last week as a "credible" possibility.

Or perhaps Petrie pulls another fast one, executes one of his surreptitious trades. Whatever transpires, whether Adelman takes his leave or remains, the roster has obvious weaknesses, particularly at backup guard. Jason Hart has been a disappointment. Kevin Martin is inconsistent. Lithe, frisky Francisco García is intriguing talent, but at the moment, he is just another erratic rookie. As for the other Kings role players, well, who can say? Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson - the three players obtained in the February 2005 swap of Chris Webber - began their Sacramento tenure by blocking shots, collecting rebounds, denying penetration, and exposing the locals to the powerful truth of defensive fundamentals, only to be reduced to spot action, the offense again supplanting the defense.
That's how it was. Who knows what comes next?
 
The first person that needs to go is Peja. If things still don't work out after that, then I will be in favor of firing Adelman. But so far, Peja is the reason we are losing.
 
I normally ever agree with "Poison" about anything. But she hit it right on the money this time. This is how the game is played. Adelman's core group has stopped playing for him. The Kings and Adelman is on a one game tryout every single night. That is no way to play basketball.
 
BK_KingsFan7 said:
The first person that needs to go is Peja. If things still don't work out after that, then I will be in favor of firing Adelman. But so far, Peja is the reason we are losing.

Bit of a strong statement I think. And no rabid Peja booster am I.

Trying to look for a single scapegoat when its so clearly been a team mini-collapse here is just too convenient.
 
Purple Reign said:
THAT LEADS TO WHERE WE ARE, 7-11, A THREE GAME HOME LOSING STREAK AND IF THE KINGS DO NOT WIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT, ADELMAN WILL BE FIRED. :(
Where did you read that Adelman would be FIRED if the Kings lose this Thursday?
 
Bricklayer said:
Bit of a strong statement I think. And no rabid Peja booster am I.

Trying to look for a single scapegoat when its so clearly been a team mini-collapse here is just too convenient.
Yea I guess you can't blame it all on Peja. And I've always stood by Peja but I'm seriously getting sick of him. He needs to go.
 
Rockmeister said:
Where did you read that Adelman would be FIRED if the Kings lose this Thursday?

I didn't read it. But can you see Adelman surviving a four game home losing streak with 6 of the next 9 on the road including games in Detroit, Minnesota, San Antonio, LA Clippers (WAIT DID I SAY CLIPPERS....UGHHHHHHH!!!!:D ).

I just do not see him surviving this, just my humble view.:confused:
 
They will lose on Thursday. I have no more faith in these guys. I personally think its the bench. Then Adelman, Then Peja in that order. The bench is atrocious. Adelman only uses 3 guys off the bench, 1 of them a ballhog, the other a rookie ballhog (not his fault), then another guy who cant shoot at all but does well defensively. Bench play motivates starters. If you can at least hang, the starters will get good rest and believe that the game is winnable, but after a while you give up just looking at bench production.
 
I don't think this article should come as a surprise to anyone who hasn't been living in a cave for the past couple of years.

1. AV does NOT like Rick Adelman and she firmly believes he is the primary cause of the woes of the team, past and present.

2. Regardless of whether or not she's right, it's only a matter of time before the Kings pull the plug on RA. Most NBA coaches only last a couple of years in one spot - guys like Sloan being the exception that proves the rule - so the fact RA has been here 10 years is pretty amazing, in and of itself.

3. IMHO they need to pull the trigger sooner rather than later, because at this point things are only going to get more contentious, regardless of whether the team wins a couple of games or not.

4. Just don't be surprised if - after Adelman is fired - things get better for a short period of time and then go back to mediocre. Without some changes to the structure of the team, it's my humble opinion that we are NOT capable of truly contending with the elite of the league.

We have all the pieces, true. Unfortunately, the pieces are to about three different puzzles instead of one.

I respect and admire Rick Adelman. It's for THAT reason that I hate what I'm seeing right now. He deserved better than to be continually asked to go out night after night and try to do the impossible.
 
its obvious that RA will be fired soon, and should be

an era of Sacramento Kings basketball is over, lets stop trying to hang on to stuff that reminds us of those good times and move on

i would like to see something else happen first (cough*myusername*cough)
 
If we did fire RA, WHO WILL COACH THE TEAM?

A WNBA coach (who may do wonderful things as an NBA coach, but would be a big ?, and probably revive the "Queens" nickname :( )?

A tired retread from another team who is currently out of work?

A current assistant coach?

Someone else who can run a Princeton-type offense? Isn't RA doing that now?

Who would be able to get more out of these guys (whether by motivation, system change, whatever) than RA? I think he is very unappreciated here, despite his faults....
 
Why dont we fire Petrie and hire Donald Trump to be GM. Then in turn he can fire everyone in the organization, including the players and cheerleaders.
 
PFFFT!! said:
Why dont we fire Petrie and hire Donald Trump to be GM. Then in turn he can fire everyone in the organization, including the players and cheerleaders.


Can we invite the cheerleaders to my house after they're fired?:D
 
Warhawk said:
If we did fire RA, WHO WILL COACH THE TEAM?

A WNBA coach (who may do wonderful things as an NBA coach, but would be a big ?, and probably revive the "Queens" nickname :( )?

A tired retread from another team who is currently out of work?

A current assistant coach?

Someone else who can run a Princeton-type offense? Isn't RA doing that now?

Who would be able to get more out of these guys (whether by motivation, system change, whatever) than RA? I think he is very unappreciated here, despite his faults....

Who will coach?

My best guess is an interim coach, kind of like someone you date right after you end a long-term relationship just so you don't have to sit at home alone.

If RA goes, it's almost a certainty Coachie will retire. The Princeton offense might also go by the wayside, depending upon the new personnel brought in.

It's a time of change. We can wring our hands and cry about what might have been, or we can look forward to new things happening...

One thing for sure is that I certainly don't want to have to live through too many more games like we've seen recently. It hurts everyone - from the very top down to the very bottom. All of us - players, fans, coaches, etc. - deserve and need better than what we've had lately.
 
If the management feels it is time for a coaching change, then I'm sure it will happen, but I just don't see an obvious coaching choice just sitting there waiting to be hired to turn this thing around. With a team assembled/semi-tailored to this offense, what other one will be implemented to quickly win some games? You think they look lost at times right now....

Anyone out there (not a current assistant coach) who knows how to run the Princeton effectively who can get these guys to play defense?
 
If Adleman is fired I have this simple question..

How will the offense be ran? Will we still run the Princeton offense?
 
Gary said:
If Adleman is fired I have this simple question..

How will the offense be ran? Will we still run the Princeton offense?

Depends on the replacement.

One of the assistants or Porter? Probably still somewhat.

An established coach with his own system? Nope, it will go by the wayside. Also think if rick goes, coachie might take the opportunity to retire back to the East Coast as well. been talking about it for a few years, and is really getting up there.

The complicating factor is that Petrie himself is a big Princeton proponent (for obvious reasons).
 
Bricklayer said:
Depends on the replacement.

One of the assistants or Porter? Probably still somewhat.

An established coach with his own system? Nope, it will go by the wayside. Also think if rick goes, coachie might take the opportunity to retire back to the East Coast as well. been talking about it for a few years, and is really getting up there.

The complicating factor is that Petrie himself is a big Princeton proponent (for obvious reasons).

Hey maybe he will do what what Kevin did last year in Minny and coach until the end of the year.
 
Last edited:
av sucks

AV hates rick now? she certainly hated chriss webber. she still hates him. i think that AV just hates basketball. while her writting skills are okay, i always hate her opions and often ask their staff/ editor to fire her. i just hate her opions, and i'm sure they could find lots of better writters, out of a high school even. bet they would take less pay.


don't recall who posted something about everyone knowing something felt off before webber got traded. Dude you are way wrong. in fact i'll call you a moron. ;) Webber getting traded was SOOOO out of left field. in fact i recall the day before he got traded he was asked about "trade rumors" and he said every year befor ethe trade dead line he heard some, but he had heard nothing from coach or petrie so he felt assured. he said something like "every year i hear some rumors and don't get traded so i'll assume if i've made it to 24 hours to go i'm safe" and then like 10 hours later he got traded. :(

so yeah dude if You personaly knew something was a-miss the day before he got traded you are alone. and probably phycic. got any lotto ticket pics for me ?
 
Has Terry Porter still been showing up at Kings games? I know he and RA are friends, but it seems odd for him to be showing up in the audience at gametime...

8^B
 
Bricklayer said:
Depends on the replacement.

One of the assistants or Porter? Probably still somewhat.

An established coach with his own system? Nope, it will go by the wayside. Also think if rick goes, coachie might take the opportunity to retire back to the East Coast as well. been talking about it for a few years, and is really getting up there.

The complicating factor is that Petrie himself is a big Princeton proponent (for obvious reasons).

Frankly I am tired of the Princeton offense. We had the best possible players for that offense and I don't see that with what we have now we will ever get to that same level playing that brand of ball. If we couldn't do it with Webb, Vlade and Doug then it's just not going to happen. Sure it's pretty to watch when it is being executed properly but it has not ever gotten anyone to the promised land. I'm tired of pretty. I'm tired of hearing the word "soft" whenever the Kings are mentioned by other fans. It's kind of like when the Dallas Cowboys (who are my football team) or the 49ers were always called a finesse team. I always took offense to that too.
I am ready for a new approach. A new brand of Kings basketball. A type of basketball that hasn't been seen around here for many years. A tough, rough, physicall team, that can rebound and defend. Throw in some passing with an occasional fast break and an alley-oop now and again and I would be happy. Hey! Sounds like the Pistons, Pacers, Heat, or the Spurs. Ironic isn't it...that all these teams are considered to be the best four teams in the league. Maybe we should be copying them. Two out of the 4 previously mentioned teams have won a championship. How many have we won under the Princeton offense?
As for coaches, Porter has a good working knowledge of the Princeton offense and I feel he would be a good replacement if Petrie insists that we continue with the that style of basketball.
I haven't heard but isn't Paul Silas available? He has had a pretty good record and develops teams into a tough bunch of guys.
Coach Whisenat (??) is an interesting choice. I loved how the Monarchs played under him and the intesity those girls played with. Whether or not coaching a bunch of women can translate into coaching a bunch of highly paid men into adopting his basketball philosophy is a completey different story. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if that were to come to fruition due to the longterm friendship that Coach Whisenat and the Maloofs have shared. All I ask is that if that were to happen that Coach T. is not part of the package. I can't stand that guy.
 
If you Fire Rick Adelman you're guaranteeing a thrown season for the most party. Throw in the the towel. You're going to expect a team to learn a whole new system, well at least you'd hope they'd learn a new system because the high post Princeton offense needs to go. A new system needs to be put in place. I would be hard pressed to say that the organization won't let Adelman finish the season.

Adelman may have weak substitutions, but he doesn't play the game. You could say the core players have given up on the coach and aren't playing because of it, but that's not professional at all. You should play all the time hard no matter what out of pride.
 
DocHolliday said:
If you Fire Rick Adelman you're guaranteeing a thrown season for the most party. Throw in the the towel. You're going to expect a team to learn a whole new system, well at least you'd hope they'd learn a new system because the high post Princeton offense needs to go. A new system needs to be put in place. I would be hard pressed to say that the organization won't let Adelman finish the season.

Adelman may have weak substitutions, but he doesn't play the game. You could say the core players have given up on the coach and aren't playing because of it, but that's not professional at all. You should play all the time hard no matter what out of pride.

The season is pretty much screwed anyhow. How can we lose 3 in a row at home, and not be competitive in any of the games? It's not like we are all of a sudden going to grow a heart, and start playing well. Thsi team does not have a vocal leader. Last year when something like this would happen Webber would speak up, the year before Vlade would. Who does this year? We have a bunch of guys mumbling about the team and what's wrong, and it's just so "bleh". Doesn't seem like anyone cares, and as a fan I am beginning not to care. It's contagious.
 
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