http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/155445.html
Ailene Voisin: For sake of team, coach must go
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:28 am PDT Sunday, April 15, 2007
Contrary to prevailing public opinion, Eric Musselman isn't the monster who devoured what was left of the Kings. Let's get that out of the way first. He didn't intend to frustrate the fans, alienate the players or confound his bosses. He didn't envision becoming the guy with the purple bull's-eye on the back of his shirt. He didn't intend to fail.
But one season is enough.
The Maloofs should cut their losses and cut him a check.
I know, I know, I know, I know. I feel terrible just thinking about it. I feel even worse endorsing it. How can you fire someone after only one year, though admittedly, he would drive off with a $5 million cushion in his bank account? Why not give the guy an offseason to ruminate and recover, and presumably, return to a significantly upgraded roster?
Because it's over. Because the parties would be best served by going their separate ways. These Kings are united only in the sense that no one -- not in the front office or the locker room -- believes Musselman is the long-term solution. Of perhaps even greater significance, he isn't seen as the short-term solution either. So why waste time?
"We'll evaluate everything at the end of the season," said Geoff Petrie, who when offered numerous opportunities throughout the year, consistently failed to offer his coach a vote of confidence. Friday, as he watched his club falter against a much-improved Warriors team, the Kings' basketball president was similarly tight-lipped -- another ominous sign for Musselman, who emerged as Petrie's compromise candidate last summer while the Maloofs aggressively lobbied for Monarchs general manager John Whisenant.
By all accounts, Musselman, 42, sweet-talked and strong-armed his way right past Whisenant, dazzling everyone with a polished presentation of playbooks, intricate scouting reports, detailed practice schedules and long-range goals. Yet as everyone has been reminded since, coaching is less about pushing paper than extracting maximum performance from players. Losses in the locker room can be as debilitating as losses in the standings.
The most glaring indictment of the 2006-07 Kings, in fact, pertains to the degree of effort: Although the Kings play hard for portions of games, they don't consistently play hard enough. They don't play for the win -- don't understand their roles, embrace an identity or execute during the deciding moments -- and don't appear to play for their coach.
The long rebounds. The loose balls. The teamwork.
The extra effort that makes the difference.
No, these Kings are an underachieving assemblage of individual pieces, with everyone out for himself. Theirs is a roster divided in two: the young and the restless, a few of whom are valuable elements for the future, and the grouchy, mostly slow-footed veterans who play older than their years. Collectively, they appear pained to play a game, oblivious to the fact that they are actually paid handsomely to entertain. Individually, a therapist would need more than one season to figure them out.
Ron Artest's off-court problems, quirky personality and ridiculous shot selection are exhausting. Mike Bibby and Brad Miller are stunningly uninspired, their careers on a steady downward spiral. Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas are ill-suited as starting power forwards. No one knows if Quincy Douby can play, can explain why Francisco García and Justin Williams haven't played more, why Kevin Martin was benched for large chunks of time, why the veterans weren't benched for large chunks of time and why Musselman was so reluctant to experiment, particularly when his starters weren't producing.
Musselman's lack of creativity -- his unwillingness to tinker as the Kings stumbled toward elimination -- is perhaps most perplexing, and perhaps most damaging. The suspicion within the organization is that he would rather make friends than the difficult decisions, that he tries too hard to be liked and, as a result, is respected by too few. And clearly, his arrest for driving under the influence undermined his authority, at least subconsciously.
So assuming Petrie isn't suddenly convinced that Musselman can become a more forceful, effective leader as the transition process begins -- and more than anything else, we're talking about leadership -- he doesn't have a choice.
Maintaining the status quo is nothing more than a concession speech to the fans. Changing coaches is necessary and inevitable, that (gulp) $5 million buyout notwithstanding. And this time, with the Maloofs appearing content to stand aside, with Whisenant safely ensconced with the Monarchs, Petrie can take his time, engage in due diligence and decide.
Who shall lead the future Kings? Sadly, it shouldn't be Musselman.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: For sake of team, coach must go
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:28 am PDT Sunday, April 15, 2007
Contrary to prevailing public opinion, Eric Musselman isn't the monster who devoured what was left of the Kings. Let's get that out of the way first. He didn't intend to frustrate the fans, alienate the players or confound his bosses. He didn't envision becoming the guy with the purple bull's-eye on the back of his shirt. He didn't intend to fail.
But one season is enough.
The Maloofs should cut their losses and cut him a check.
I know, I know, I know, I know. I feel terrible just thinking about it. I feel even worse endorsing it. How can you fire someone after only one year, though admittedly, he would drive off with a $5 million cushion in his bank account? Why not give the guy an offseason to ruminate and recover, and presumably, return to a significantly upgraded roster?
Because it's over. Because the parties would be best served by going their separate ways. These Kings are united only in the sense that no one -- not in the front office or the locker room -- believes Musselman is the long-term solution. Of perhaps even greater significance, he isn't seen as the short-term solution either. So why waste time?
"We'll evaluate everything at the end of the season," said Geoff Petrie, who when offered numerous opportunities throughout the year, consistently failed to offer his coach a vote of confidence. Friday, as he watched his club falter against a much-improved Warriors team, the Kings' basketball president was similarly tight-lipped -- another ominous sign for Musselman, who emerged as Petrie's compromise candidate last summer while the Maloofs aggressively lobbied for Monarchs general manager John Whisenant.
By all accounts, Musselman, 42, sweet-talked and strong-armed his way right past Whisenant, dazzling everyone with a polished presentation of playbooks, intricate scouting reports, detailed practice schedules and long-range goals. Yet as everyone has been reminded since, coaching is less about pushing paper than extracting maximum performance from players. Losses in the locker room can be as debilitating as losses in the standings.
The most glaring indictment of the 2006-07 Kings, in fact, pertains to the degree of effort: Although the Kings play hard for portions of games, they don't consistently play hard enough. They don't play for the win -- don't understand their roles, embrace an identity or execute during the deciding moments -- and don't appear to play for their coach.
The long rebounds. The loose balls. The teamwork.
The extra effort that makes the difference.
No, these Kings are an underachieving assemblage of individual pieces, with everyone out for himself. Theirs is a roster divided in two: the young and the restless, a few of whom are valuable elements for the future, and the grouchy, mostly slow-footed veterans who play older than their years. Collectively, they appear pained to play a game, oblivious to the fact that they are actually paid handsomely to entertain. Individually, a therapist would need more than one season to figure them out.
Ron Artest's off-court problems, quirky personality and ridiculous shot selection are exhausting. Mike Bibby and Brad Miller are stunningly uninspired, their careers on a steady downward spiral. Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas are ill-suited as starting power forwards. No one knows if Quincy Douby can play, can explain why Francisco García and Justin Williams haven't played more, why Kevin Martin was benched for large chunks of time, why the veterans weren't benched for large chunks of time and why Musselman was so reluctant to experiment, particularly when his starters weren't producing.
Musselman's lack of creativity -- his unwillingness to tinker as the Kings stumbled toward elimination -- is perhaps most perplexing, and perhaps most damaging. The suspicion within the organization is that he would rather make friends than the difficult decisions, that he tries too hard to be liked and, as a result, is respected by too few. And clearly, his arrest for driving under the influence undermined his authority, at least subconsciously.
So assuming Petrie isn't suddenly convinced that Musselman can become a more forceful, effective leader as the transition process begins -- and more than anything else, we're talking about leadership -- he doesn't have a choice.
Maintaining the status quo is nothing more than a concession speech to the fans. Changing coaches is necessary and inevitable, that (gulp) $5 million buyout notwithstanding. And this time, with the Maloofs appearing content to stand aside, with Whisenant safely ensconced with the Monarchs, Petrie can take his time, engage in due diligence and decide.
Who shall lead the future Kings? Sadly, it shouldn't be Musselman.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@ sacbee.com.
Ansd not actually someone I want. I'd rather try Elie or Iavaroni.
