Voisin: Time to lay down this hand

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/457845.html

Ailene Voisin: Time to lay down this hand
By Ailene Voisin - avoisin@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF3

These Kings were never going to win the 2007-08 NBA championship anyway. They were a stretch even to sniff the postseason. And with Mike Bibby expected to miss two months following thumb surgery, joining Ron Artest and Spencer Hawes on the sidelines for Wednesday's regular-season tipoff, this sure looks like a good time to punt, to officially kick off a new campaign.

The dreaded "R" word – for rebuilding – swirls around the palate more smoothly these days, like one of those Amador County zinfandels. Or perhaps the more prudent approach is to let the Kings breathe on their own for a while.

For about a month.

Maybe Artest will re-emerge as the league's premier defender, Hawes will enjoy an auspicious debut, Kevin Martin will continue expanding his game, Brad Miller will remain lean and mean, and Francisco García and Quincy Douby will develop into consistent contributors. Maybe someone on the roster will imitate a starting power forward. Maybe Geoff Petrie will obtain a quality point guard to provide perimeter shooting – easily Bibby's greatest asset – and of equal importance, to handle the ball and initiate the offense. Maybe Reggie Theus will avoid the usual assortment of rookie coaching blunders.

But probably not. The first month more realistically will ensure that subsequent months are dominated by the salary cap clearing measures that allow for a long-anticipated roster overhaul. No one would quibble, say, with a 2007-08 Kings game plan that preceded another spectacular 1998 offseason.

The celebrity life span is agonizingly brief, and everyone eventually pays dues. The Kings are no more immune to the cycle of sports – successful seasons followed by slumps – than any other franchise.

"At some point, you start to re-evaluate the situation," a subdued Petrie said Saturday. "We were moving into that (rebuilding) mode anyway. But you go into the season with an open mind."

After these last 72 hours? After Bibby's surgery? It's open season on the Kings.

Give them a month and then get on with the auditions and positioning for a future free-agent haul. Ice packs and aspirin will ease the pain. Though neither Petrie nor any of the other Kings officials would admit it publicly, if the season progresses as expected – and most preseason projections penciled the Kings into the lottery before Bibby's injury – the next key date will be the February trade deadline. Current Kings with bloated salaries (Bibby and Miller) could find themselves swapped for draft picks. Artest, who can opt out of his contract in the offseason, could be gone as well, exchanged for a younger, less troubled player, and preferably with Kenny Thomas or Shareef Abdur-Rahim along for the trip.

With the pretense of making the playoffs no longer an issue, maneuvers would be pursued for the obvious reason: to significantly improve the talent level while responsibly managing the team cap situation. No more adding overpaid role players to a hopelessly flawed roster for the sole purpose of evading the lottery. The organization's attempt to remain competitive while moving beyond the Chris Webber era led to an unwieldy cap situation, ill-advised veteran free-agent signings, and the assembling of non-complementary players and personalities.

The time is near to have some fun. Keep the curfew, but let the youngsters get out and run. The Kings and their fans can grow together, maybe even grow to like each other again.

"When people come up to me and Gavin, the first thing they want to know is, 'Are we getting a (new) arena?' " Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said. "They used to ask us about the team. The (arena) uncertainty really bothers people. But it's like people are finally starting to believe that we're not going anywhere. You can feel the change. These last two weeks, we've gotten a little bit of a run on season-ticket sales. This Bibby injury is a setback, but (laugh) Geoff will figure something out."

No, this season was always going to be about the Kings' ability to distance themselves from every painful development since Webber's fateful tumble in Dallas in 2003. Nothing is guaranteed. Not health, not championships, and these days in Arco Arena, not even sellouts.

"Regardless of whether we make the playoffs," added Theus, "the guys want a chance to regain some credibility with the fans. They'll give effort and play with energy. They want to (win) the crowd back. I don't think there is anything wrong with that."

That would be a start.

About the writer: Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.

 

[VF21]

"Regardless of whether we make the playoffs," added Theus, "the guys want a chance to regain some credibility with the fans. They'll give effort and play with energy. They want to (win) the crowd back. I don't think there is anything wrong with that."

I don't know about anyone else, but effort and energy will be enough for me.

GO KINGS!!!

 

[LPKingsFan]

Bravo.

 

[fnordius]

Aileen's on a roll this week.

 

[Jerryaki]

The Kings are no more immune to the cycle of sports – successful seasons followed by slumps – than any other franchise.

how is it a franchise like the spurs so adeptly manage their finances that they've not been in a slump for what? 8 or 9 years now?

 

[Warhawk]

Aileen's on a roll this week.

Are pigs flying? Hath Hades turned on the AC? Will the sun not rise in the East? Will Christmas decorations not be in stores until December?

 

[Geoff]

how is it a franchise like the spurs so adeptly manage their finances that they've not been in a slump for what? 8 or 9 years now?

David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, Robert Horry...combination of luck and excellent management skills. I'm not saying that luck had everything to do with it, but i've never seen them with major injuries.

 

[Greg Ostertag]

David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, Robert Horry...combination of luck and excellent management skills. I'm not saying that luck had everything to do with it, but i've never seen them with major injuries.

The year they did have major injuries (to Robinson, among others), they lucked out and landed Tim Duncan. Management also had a part of it, drafting Parker in the late 1st round and Manu in the late 2nd.

 

[Smills91]

how is it a franchise like the spurs so adeptly manage their finances that they've not been in a slump for what? 8 or 9 years now?

There superstar player not getting a career altering injury has a lot to with that...also the Kings last I checked had an 8 year run in the playoffs...how quickly this is forgotten.

 

[Wuster]

So Aileen now voices what many here have been saying for many months. Pass the kool-aid.

 

[Bricklayer]

You never know with Ailene whether she is trying to lead a charge, or trying to tail along with the prevailing winds. She should have given me a call for some juicy rebuild quotes. Either way with Kreidler out of the picture she is the one who would have to put together a solid article calling for a rebuild. Only one sharp enough and with enough independence. So...argh....thank you Ailene.

As an aside, there are two quotes in the article. In the first Petrie sounds like everything I would almost expect him to sound like. Always hard to tell because Ailene always spins quotes, but sounds like a guy who knows/knew the rebuild was coming, and was just simply too timid to commit to it, and now is maybe regretting that. Jeesh I wish that man would rediscover the ballsy spirit he had circa 1998.

The second quote I still did not like -- the Maloofs still seeming to ignore the elephant in the room.

 

[Jerichoholic]

how is it a franchise like the spurs so adeptly manage their finances that they've not been in a slump for what? 8 or 9 years now?

There is always some luck involved but the most important things are great management and great development. If you remember when the Kings were at their best they refused to play their young talent, you had Adelman, Petrie, even the Maloofs echoing that we are in "win now" mode and can't develop players.

At the same time you had the Spurs who were good but developed their drafted players like Parker and Ginobili. Great management always has their eye on the long-term at the same time as the short-term. It looks to me that the Kings management has no eye on the long-term.

As far as luck is concerned the Spurs have Tim Duncan and the Kings had Chris Webber who blew out his knee, but the difference of these teams goes much deeper than that.

 

['89 Kings Fan]

how is it a franchise like the spurs so adeptly manage their finances that they've not been in a slump for what? 8 or 9 years now?

In 5 Years I do not think RC Buford has signed someone to the full MLE. The only time they use it is for small 2 year contracts. Also they immediately get rid of under performing contracts. See Rasho, Malik Rose, Beno Udrih, Jackie Butler. Of course you can afford to spend picks so others will take your contracts when you have Tim Duncan. But the key is do not overpay for Marginal Talent.

 

[VF21]

I'll gently nudge this back in the direction of talking about the Kings...

You never know with Ailene whether she is trying to lead a charge, or trying to tail along with the prevailing winds. She should have given me a call for some juicy rebuild quotes. Either way with Kreidler out of the picture she is the one who would have to put together a solid article calling for a rebuild. Only one sharp enough and with enough independence. So...argh....thank you Ailene.

I thought you'd offer your services, Brickie! It's an interesting article, to be sure.

I haven't read the entire special section of the Bee (New Year, New Deal) yet, but it appears there are more gems there about the whole future of the Kings.

 

[Jerryaki]

...also the Kings last I checked had an 8 year run in the playoffs...how quickly this is forgotten.

while nice and true, that statement should come with a footnote. we were truly contending maybe 3 or 4 of those years?

 

[kingsfan101]

In 5 Years I do not think RC Buford has signed someone to the full MLE. The only time they use it is for small 2 year contracts. Also they immediately get rid of under performing contracts. See Rasho, Malik Rose, Beno Udrih, Jackie Butler. Of course you can afford to spend picks so others will take your contracts when you have Tim Duncan. But the key is do not overpay for Marginal Talent.

Much of what you say is true. However, it is also important to note that several players have chosen to take less money for a chance to play with Duncan and compete for a championship, when they could have pursued more money elsewhere (Bowen, Finley). Hell, even Duncan has signed on an extension for lesser money than he could have negotiated.

That's the advantage elite teams have. Vets who care relatively less about money, choose such teams for a chance to win a ring (Webb with Detroit, Malone, Payton with Lakers, Hill with Phonix, Finley with Spurs; the list is long).

While I give a lot of credit to their management, I think even they won't deny that they got extremely lucky. Landing Duncan and the admiral obviously stands out. They not only got two great talents, but also excellent individuals, playing selflessly, unlike many other superstars.

It's also important to note, that over the last few years, there has been no dominant team like the Lakers at the beginning of this century. We were unlucky to be peaking at a time when Shaq and Kobe were at their best. As good as the Spurs are, I feel that over the last few years, the elite teams in the league have not been as good as the Lakers (and Kings) of that time. Didn't the Spurs in that time get swept by the Lakers in the conference finals by an average of what, about 25 points?

 

[fnordius]

Much of what you say is true. However, it is also important to note that several players have chosen to take less money for a chance to play with Duncan and compete for a championship, when they could have pursued more money elsewhere (Bowen, Finley). Hell, even Duncan has signed on an extension for lesser money than he could have negotiated.

That's the advantage elite teams have. Vets who care relatively less about money, choose such teams for a chance to win a ring (Webb with Detroit, Malone, Payton with Lakers, Hill with Phonix, Finley with Spurs; the list is long).

While I give a lot of credit to their management, I think even they won't deny that they got extremely lucky. Landing Duncan and the admiral obviously stands out. They not only got two great talents, but also excellent individuals, playing selflessly, unlike many other superstars.

Yeah. And that's where we were at several years ago, much of our bench could have started elsewhere, and usually for more money, but we had a great coach, great roster, and an excellent shot at going all the way, so good players were easy to come by. We've also been at the other extreme, the "welcome to hell" days when many good players were out of our reach, regardless of what we were willing to pay.

Either one can become self-perpetuating, because the great team can use cheap contracts to stay great, while the crappy team has a very hard time recruiting anyone to end their crappiness. All they can usually do is hope to be saved by the draft.

San Antonio has done a fantastic job of retaining that momentum. We failed to do that. We were insecure noobs, and gave huge contracts to Webber, Bibby and Miller. Then our luck failed with Webber's injury, cost cutting began, and everything went downhill from there. Now we will be lucky to get away from the other extreme before it becomes our accustomed lifestyle. We need to blow it up fast, and get the hell out of there.

 

[kingsfan101]

Either one can become self-perpetuating, because the great team can use cheap contracts to stay great, while the crappy team has a very hard time recruiting anyone to end their crappiness. All they can usually do is hope to be saved by the draft.

And that's why I am not a huge fan of cap space. Teams with cap space in recent past have usually tended to overspend on a middling player, who might lead them back to the "just good enough for 8th seed" land.

Hopefully, we can use some of our expiring contracts coming up next year (if they remain with us till then), to get some franchise level player. That shall be tough too, since such guys will usually veto trades to teams where they see little chance of contending. Landing a high draft pick next year shall help a lot though.

San Antonio has done a fantastic job of retaining that momentum. We failed to do that. We were insecure noobs, and gave huge contracts to Webber, Bibby and Miller. Then our luck failed with Webber's injury, cost cutting began, and everything went downhill from there. Now we will be lucky to get away from the other extreme before it becomes our accustomed lifestyle. We need to blow it up fast, and get the hell out of there.

Here is the deal. We were really contending that time, and overspending was justified. Could we have persuaded any of these guys to play with us for lesser money, maybe. Not familiar with the details of that time to know what the news on the grapevine was, if there was a real risk of losing any of these guys, or if more money was given out of a feeling that the player deserved it. Can some of the old timers educate the newer arrivals like myself.

 

[kennadog]

Much of what you say is true. However, it is also important to note that several players have chosen to take less money for a chance to play with Duncan and compete for a championship, when they could have pursued more money elsewhere (Bowen, Finley). Hell, even Duncan has signed on an extension for lesser money than he could have negotiated.

When it came time to re-sign Duncan, Robinson acccepted less money so they could retain Duncan. Looks like a "pass it on" philosophy at work.