http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14254136p-15069818c.html
Ailene Voisin: And now, Maloofs have their hands full
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, May 11, 2006
Owners who spend millions. A basketball boss known for power moves. A city that shuts down at tipoff. Fans who fill an old building and utter all sorts of odd sounds. Ron Artest.
Those are the pluses.
But P.J. Carlesimo, John Whisenant, Don Nelson, Byron Scott, Stan Van Gundy, Rick Majerus - any and all potential Kings head-coaching candidates - should look closely here. There are flaws in the design. Geoff Petrie is reaching for hammer and saw as we speak.
Mike Bibby and Brad Miller, both of whom were worn down before the playoffs, need relief at their respective positions. Dueling power forwards Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas are better suited as reserves than starters. Bonzi Wells is a low-post player trapped in a 6-foot-5 body, but nonetheless, a free agent who expects to receive lucrative offers. Kevin Martin needs playing time to resume his rapid development. Same for Francisco García. Their quickness and athleticism provide the Kings with an occasional easy basket and at least an illusion of an up-tempo pace.
So who exactly wants this job?
Carlesimo, Whisenant, Nelson ...
"We know we have work to do," said Kings co-owner Joe Maloof, "but with the people we have, the mix of youth and veterans, we are making our way back. Geoff always makes good moves. I'm kind of sad right now because this is an end of an era. But I'm excited at the same time. We just have to find the right coach, and I think there are some really good people out there."
The job description reads something like this: New head coach must be defense-oriented, capable of coaching and coexisting with the strong-willed Artest, own a portfolio with more victories than defeats, and in addition to all the old criteria, be more willing than the recently released Rick Adelman to establish a personal relationship with the owners and be a presence in the community. You know. Mingle with season-ticket holders. Fans. Eat at downtown restaurants. Charm the folks at the movie theater. Graciously grant interviews, giving fans a little something extra for the price of admission and/or Kings merchandise.
And no doubt about it. No way around it. Adelman's reclusive personality harmed him immeasurably with the Maloofs. The Beverly Hills-Las Vegas-Albuquerque-based family members basically want to have a personal relationship with their head coach, or at least an occasional conversation. They also want to see him on ESPN highlights and engaging season-ticket holders on Sacramento streets.
Small-market franchises simply have to try harder. Jerry West, for instance, participates in celebrity free-throw-shooting contests in the Memphis Grizzlies' ongoing struggles to attract a capacity audience. Imagine the intensely private Adelman hoisting one-handers with the fellas down at the local pub.
"We want our coach to connect with our fans," said Joe Maloof. "We think that's important."
So, who gets an interview or at least a courtesy call?
Unless Petrie becomes unusually creative here and reaches overseas - where former Seattle SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerly plucked George Karl and Mike D'Antoni gained his reputation - or into the minor leagues - the former proving ground of Karl, Phil Jackson and Flip Saunders, to name a few - the list of availables is neither overwhelming nor extensive.
Majerus, the Maloofs' longtime favorite, is immediately disqualified because of health issues. Another family favorite, Monarchs coach Whisenant, won a WNBA title with defense, but his lack of NBA experience is a serious impediment. Nelson, the highest-profile coach among the aforementioned possibilities, obsesses over offense; he would have to break out his defensive tricks from his days with the Milwaukee Bucks and lay a real sales job on the Maloofs. Carlesimo is a legitimate prospect because of his association with Gregg Popovich, though the Latrell Sprewell incident still has him by the neck.
Additionally, Byron Scott remains under contract in New Orleans/Oklahoma City. Eddie Jordan is employed, and besides, his Wizards are woeful on defense. Terry Porter doesn't excite the Maloofs. Van Gundy might be tired of his family by now, but who knows? Paul Silas was a finalist eight years ago - was within hours of being named head coach - only to be bypassed by Adelman.
"The most important thing is to look at their history," continued the Kings co-owner. "It doesn't matter if he coached Pop Warner, college, high school. Throughout his career, how has he done? (Hint: This could be a pitch for Whisenant.) We're going to see what Geoff wants to do first, then go from there. But our decisions have always been unanimous. We all have to agree on our coach, and we will."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: And now, Maloofs have their hands full
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, May 11, 2006
Owners who spend millions. A basketball boss known for power moves. A city that shuts down at tipoff. Fans who fill an old building and utter all sorts of odd sounds. Ron Artest.
Those are the pluses.
But P.J. Carlesimo, John Whisenant, Don Nelson, Byron Scott, Stan Van Gundy, Rick Majerus - any and all potential Kings head-coaching candidates - should look closely here. There are flaws in the design. Geoff Petrie is reaching for hammer and saw as we speak.
Mike Bibby and Brad Miller, both of whom were worn down before the playoffs, need relief at their respective positions. Dueling power forwards Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas are better suited as reserves than starters. Bonzi Wells is a low-post player trapped in a 6-foot-5 body, but nonetheless, a free agent who expects to receive lucrative offers. Kevin Martin needs playing time to resume his rapid development. Same for Francisco García. Their quickness and athleticism provide the Kings with an occasional easy basket and at least an illusion of an up-tempo pace.
So who exactly wants this job?
Carlesimo, Whisenant, Nelson ...
"We know we have work to do," said Kings co-owner Joe Maloof, "but with the people we have, the mix of youth and veterans, we are making our way back. Geoff always makes good moves. I'm kind of sad right now because this is an end of an era. But I'm excited at the same time. We just have to find the right coach, and I think there are some really good people out there."
The job description reads something like this: New head coach must be defense-oriented, capable of coaching and coexisting with the strong-willed Artest, own a portfolio with more victories than defeats, and in addition to all the old criteria, be more willing than the recently released Rick Adelman to establish a personal relationship with the owners and be a presence in the community. You know. Mingle with season-ticket holders. Fans. Eat at downtown restaurants. Charm the folks at the movie theater. Graciously grant interviews, giving fans a little something extra for the price of admission and/or Kings merchandise.
And no doubt about it. No way around it. Adelman's reclusive personality harmed him immeasurably with the Maloofs. The Beverly Hills-Las Vegas-Albuquerque-based family members basically want to have a personal relationship with their head coach, or at least an occasional conversation. They also want to see him on ESPN highlights and engaging season-ticket holders on Sacramento streets.
Small-market franchises simply have to try harder. Jerry West, for instance, participates in celebrity free-throw-shooting contests in the Memphis Grizzlies' ongoing struggles to attract a capacity audience. Imagine the intensely private Adelman hoisting one-handers with the fellas down at the local pub.
"We want our coach to connect with our fans," said Joe Maloof. "We think that's important."
So, who gets an interview or at least a courtesy call?
Unless Petrie becomes unusually creative here and reaches overseas - where former Seattle SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerly plucked George Karl and Mike D'Antoni gained his reputation - or into the minor leagues - the former proving ground of Karl, Phil Jackson and Flip Saunders, to name a few - the list of availables is neither overwhelming nor extensive.
Majerus, the Maloofs' longtime favorite, is immediately disqualified because of health issues. Another family favorite, Monarchs coach Whisenant, won a WNBA title with defense, but his lack of NBA experience is a serious impediment. Nelson, the highest-profile coach among the aforementioned possibilities, obsesses over offense; he would have to break out his defensive tricks from his days with the Milwaukee Bucks and lay a real sales job on the Maloofs. Carlesimo is a legitimate prospect because of his association with Gregg Popovich, though the Latrell Sprewell incident still has him by the neck.
Additionally, Byron Scott remains under contract in New Orleans/Oklahoma City. Eddie Jordan is employed, and besides, his Wizards are woeful on defense. Terry Porter doesn't excite the Maloofs. Van Gundy might be tired of his family by now, but who knows? Paul Silas was a finalist eight years ago - was within hours of being named head coach - only to be bypassed by Adelman.
"The most important thing is to look at their history," continued the Kings co-owner. "It doesn't matter if he coached Pop Warner, college, high school. Throughout his career, how has he done? (Hint: This could be a pitch for Whisenant.) We're going to see what Geoff wants to do first, then go from there. But our decisions have always been unanimous. We all have to agree on our coach, and we will."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
