SacBee: Pass or fail? Grading the Kings

[Revrag]

There were always two versions. There were the Kings as they were viewed by a national audience, where the Charles Barkleys and Stan Van Gundys were nominating Reggie Theus as a Coach of the Year candidate for how he made the most of a seemingly-limited roster. And there were the Kings as seen from within, where Theus' bosses were reluctant with praise and often wary of the way he handled his rookie season, where the players' opinions regarding their coach could change by the week and where in-house issues often overshadowed progress.

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[VF21]

Reggie Theus
GRADE: B-

Up until the end, Theus found ways to irk his players and bosses with messages sent through the media. It made for a distrusting environment early which improved in the final months but still needs work. His unwillingness to discipline Ron Artest early in the season hurt him as well, as he had slapped fines on the likes of Moore and John Salmons for minimal transgressions while taking tongue-lashings without recourse from his small forward.

All things considered, he avoided most potential potholes and managed to lead his team to an improvement few expected while playing a part in the career years of Martin, García, Artest and Salmons.

From here on, Theus needs to make sure his vision for the future is something close to that of the front office and ownership. His ability to toe the company line and continue developing younger players will be key. The natural conflict comes into play when the coach with only short-term security is being asked to think long-term.

Sending messages to players and the Maloofs through the media is bush-league. Not being consistent in how he assesses fines/penalties is ridiculous.

I like Reggie Theus BUT he has a long way to go if he's going to be the coach I think he really wants to be.

Let go of the player mentality, Reggie, and be a fair and equitable coach. You bring a lot to the game but you're going to find yourself unable to command the respect of anyone if you don't quit talking to the media and then having to retract/alter your statements. Think twice and speak once instead of the other way around.

 

[Entity]

I don't get the perception that just because Reggie says it to the media that he HASN'T already said it to the players. I think its somewhat self gratifiying to Amick and others to THINK that they have some special info when Reggie speaks to him. Reggie may just be being honest with the media and letting them know to much info and in turn they assume he hasn't discussed this already with the players and he is using them as a mouthpiece. When I hear or see a quote from a player that backs this up then I will find it credible. In fact it is a known fact that some of the PLAYERS did use the media as their venting ground.

I will admit to being wrong if someone can show me an instance of this occuring.

 

[VF21]

I don't get the perception that just because Reggie says it to the media that he HASN'T already said it to the players. I think its somewhat self gratifiying to Amick and others to THINK that they have some special info when Reggie speaks to him. Reggie may just be being honest with the media and letting them know to much info and in turn they assume he hasn't discussed this already with the players and he is using them as a mouthpiece. When I hear or see a quote from a player that backs this up then I will find it credible. In fact it is a known fact that some of the PLAYERS did use the media as their venting ground.

I will admit to being wrong if someone can show me an instance of this occuring.

Kevin Martin came out and was pretty honest about being shocked by what Theus said in the Bee the day before, including the comment that it came as a surprise to him. Why doesn't that count?

Add to that the fact Theus went on Grant's show and tried to backtrack, and you have some prima facie evidence.

Whether or not you admit to being wrong is irrelevant. What is truly important is that this seems to be an ongoing problem with Theus. If Amick was making it up, don't you think the players would scramble to Reggie's defense?

 

[Entity]

Amick suggested it went on all season. I am not talking about the statement made after the season was over. I am talking about Amick saying Reggie did it during the season. I just don't remember it. I was wanting somebody to show me so I can be informed. As irrelevant as it may seem.