Yeah, you don't get to be executive of the year twice by accident. Whatever his faults (and lately his moves have been inexcusable, even with Maloofian interference and a shoestring budget) Petrie clearly demonstrated his eye for talent, especially in the draft. From Brian Grant to DeMarcus Cousins, there was really only Quincy Douby as a major whiff until the last couple seasons.
It's a shame that the last few years have tarnished his reputation, but for a LONG time Petrie was a guy that rarely made huge moves but always seemed to make little trades that he generally got the better end of. He was a maddeningly patient drafter who didn't move up or down but just waited and grabbed what was usually one of the best picks left on the board. He was a steady hand on the wheel that didn't miss often and built the team that will always epitomize what I love about basketball. Even as a lifelong hoops player/junkie I have never enjoyed watching a team as much as I did that era of Kings basketball.
From 99 when Peja finally came over, Webb was traded for, Vlade signed and JWill drafted it changed everything about Sacramento basketball. Corliss for Christie and Jwill for Bibby morphed it from freewheeling and fun to precise and dominant. And don't forget Geoff's ability to build and replenish an effective bench. VMax, Pollard, Tony Delk, Bobby J (one of my all-time favorites), Keon Clark, Jon Barry etc.
There was a part of me that was hoping he'd stay on one last summer and go out with a tremendous offseason, but it isn't to be. And I'm not even sure he has the resources or the touch left to do it.
I think it's time for Geoff to go but I have a lot more good memories of his tenure than bad ones. Farewell and thank you for your years of service Geoff Petrie.
It's a shame that the last few years have tarnished his reputation, but for a LONG time Petrie was a guy that rarely made huge moves but always seemed to make little trades that he generally got the better end of. He was a maddeningly patient drafter who didn't move up or down but just waited and grabbed what was usually one of the best picks left on the board. He was a steady hand on the wheel that didn't miss often and built the team that will always epitomize what I love about basketball. Even as a lifelong hoops player/junkie I have never enjoyed watching a team as much as I did that era of Kings basketball.
From 99 when Peja finally came over, Webb was traded for, Vlade signed and JWill drafted it changed everything about Sacramento basketball. Corliss for Christie and Jwill for Bibby morphed it from freewheeling and fun to precise and dominant. And don't forget Geoff's ability to build and replenish an effective bench. VMax, Pollard, Tony Delk, Bobby J (one of my all-time favorites), Keon Clark, Jon Barry etc.
There was a part of me that was hoping he'd stay on one last summer and go out with a tremendous offseason, but it isn't to be. And I'm not even sure he has the resources or the touch left to do it.
I think it's time for Geoff to go but I have a lot more good memories of his tenure than bad ones. Farewell and thank you for your years of service Geoff Petrie.
