Westphal's uncertain future

[sactownfan]

At the beginning of the month, we rounded up a bit of chatter that with the Kings struggling and DeMarcus Cousins' attitude being at issue, coach Paul Westphal could be approaching the hot seat.

And while Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD reported Thursday no firing is imminent as the team continues to struggle and Cousins continues to act out, it's looking like Westphal is losing control of the team.

"Sources close to the situation say that Westphal has 'all but lost his team' as well as the confidence of the Maloofs," he wrote. "Players, who expected improvement this season, believe that Westphal's rotations and actions have made it nearly impossible for the young team to find success. Behind closed doors, the players have questioned his philosophy and decision making throughout the season and only see things getting worse the longer he is on the bench."

The Kings picked up Westphal's contract option for 2011-12 back in April during happier times, so any firing this season or summer would see the team owing him $2 million for 2011-12 -- perhaps putting the cash-strapped franchise in a rough spot.

-- Ryan Corazza ESPN

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ESPN's John Hollinger

Westphal doesn't know how to command Kings' attention properly
"[Westphal's disciplining of Cousins] was exactly like the Spencer Hawes thing a year ago -- a Cartman-esque, 'you will respect my authori-TAY' move by a coach who couldn't command his locker room's attention in more conventional ways."

 

[sactownfan]

Westphal has clearly lost the team in my mind along with almost everyone elses here on this board and everyone else around the league.... why then would we continue on with this loser?

cant we just find a coach that isn't retarded????

 

[Bricklayer]

If you catch Satan in cute little fluffy red booties for his feetsies its because hell hath just frozen over -- ESPN is now quoting Hoopsworld for their news.

 

[sactownfan]

If you catch Satan in cute little fluffy red booties for his feetsies its because hell hath just frozen over -- ESPN is now quoting Hoopsworld for their news.

true.... but this isn't really news.... it seems so obvious that even hoopsworld has it right

 

[Kingsguy881]

Westphal has clearly lost the team in my mind along with almost everyone elses here on this board and everyone else around the league.... why then would we continue on with this loser?

cant we just find a coach that isn't retarded????

You need a new signature lol.

I still like Westphal, but he is definitely losing the guys. He has a lot of work to do in order to remain on the bench.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Well, it does seem that Westphal is losing the team. I was hoping he could last the year, but if the situation starts to get toxic, he's not doing enough other positive things in my mind to justify mercurial relationships with the players.

I will say though, I think he is getting unfairly bashed over benching Cousins. I agree with Brick's take from the other thread that what Cousins did was immature and childish, but not terrible. However, he should have gotten a technical and made a poor decisions. A coach has an absolute right to bench a player for that. There is nothing wrong with Westphal demanding professionalism and focus on the court, especially when such a move could have cost us an extra FT. I completely disagree with Hollinger's take on this being a Carmanesque move.

 

[pshn80]

Because not continuing with Westphal who I think is doing a decent job with lots of young, inexperienced players, would send absolutely the wrong message to these players, taking them off the hook, saying its not their fault, its the coach's fault. In my book there are good reasons to keep Westphal coaching this team for this year and next. Besides these sentiments and opinions of mine, I think it would be an unwarranted set back for this team to have to experience a new coach now.

 

[pshn80]

true.... but this isn't really news.... it seems so obvious that even hoopsworld has it right

.... or wrong.

 

[pshn80]

Well, it does seem that Westphal is losing the team. I was hoping he could last the year, but if the situation starts to get toxic, he's not doing enough other positive things in my mind to justify mercurial relationships with the players.

I will say though, I think he is getting unfairly bashed over benching Cousins. I agree with Brick's take from the other thread that what Cousins did was immature and childish, but not terrible. However, he should have gotten a technical and made a poor decisions. A coach has an absolute right to bench a player for that. There is nothing wrong with Westphal demanding professionalism and focus on the court, especially when such a move could have cost us an extra FT. I completely disagree with Hollinger's take on this being a Carmanesque move.

Agree completely.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Musselman was owed ton of money when he was fired by Maloof's and now he's busting rocks in Reno to pay back some of the loot. I think Westphal is relatively secure at this point because there's no good options at all this time 'round for Maloof's. They don't want to repeat Kenny Natt disaster by just throwing someone into the fire with a hope and prayer it might somehow be better. The question is who is actually MORE to blame for the Kings current situation - dumb players or dumb coach? IMO, it's more about dumb, dumb, and more dumb players on this team.

 

[Kingster]

Hard to believe he's lost the team. The team continues to play hard, despite the dissapointing losses. That's not the mark of team the coach has "lost". That said, the coach is always the easiest of scapegoats for losing, so you have to think it's a possibility.
It will give some fans a temporary release from their angst, only to be followed by prolongued depression.

It might be more difficult for the Maloofs to take the easy way out this time. They went down that road before with Theus. If they fire Westphal, I wonder if they might hire Natt again? Could be a reunion. Or maybe Theus and Natt? Then there's Ellie. Oops, I forgot the DUI. And speaking of DUI, Musselman is out there coaching in the D-League. Maybe they go for him, hugh? Then there was the coach of the Monarchs - what was his name? And speaking of women, maybe they should bring in Dr. Laura. This team seems to need as much psychological counseling as coaching.

 

[kingsboi]

There really should be a Paul Westphal thread just like I mentioned about DeMarcus Cousins.

 

[rhythmless]

Musselman was owed ton of money when he was fired by Maloof's and now he's busting rocks in Reno to pay back some of the loot. I think Westphal is relatively secure at this point because there's no good options at all this time 'round for Maloof's. They don't want to repeat Kenny Natt disaster by just throwing someone into the fire with a hope and prayer it might somehow be better. The question is who is actually MORE to blame for the Kings current situation - dumb players or dumb coach? IMO, it's more about dumb, dumb, and more dumb players on this team.

You forget that the Maloofs are pinching pennies like nobody's business for the past few years. We have a rock bottom payroll (and a record to match), and a rock bottom salary for a coach. The maloofs were in the market for a bargain, not a pedigreed coach who commands a pedigree salary. Westpaul will stay next year because the Maloofs won't spend to put a good product on the floor.

You get what you pay for.

 

[bajaden]

Hard to believe he's lost the team. The team continues to play hard, despite the dissapointing losses. That's not the mark of team the coach has "lost". That said, the coach is always the easiest of scapegoats for losing, so you have to think it's a possibility.
It will give some fans a temporary release from their angst, only to be followed by prolongued depression.

It might be more difficult for the Maloofs to take the easy way out this time. They went down that road before with Theus. If they fire Westphal, I wonder if they might hire Natt again? Could be a reunion. Or maybe Theus and Natt? Then there's Ellie. Oops, I forgot the DUI. And speaking of DUI, Musselman is out there coaching in the D-League. Maybe they go for him, hugh? Then there was the coach of the Monarchs - what was his name? And speaking of women, maybe they should bring in Dr. Laura. This team seems to need as much psychological counseling as coaching.

I'm assuming that your jesting with Natt. I still think it will be one of the assistant coaches that will get the job if in fact Westphal is let go. I can appreciate those that don't want another coaching change. Its the last thing I wanted. But happens if we end up 5 and 36 at the halfway point? We still ride the same horse? How about 5 and 50? What then? I mean there will come a time when enough is enough. The Maloofs weren't their usual happy go lucky selves at the last game. They looked tired and drawn, and serious.

If you want to keep Westphal a while longer because you don't want to go through yet another coaching change, I understand. But please, please, don't try and tell me he's doing a stellar job, and its all the players fault.. If thats true, then I, or any of you could do just as good a job. I think I'm capable of putting up a 5 and 20 mark without breaking a sweat. I was listening to the Don Geronimo show yesterday. And he's by no means an expert on basketball or coaching. But apparently has seats near the Kings bench and can hear the conversations. He said that after goiing to the last few games he can see why the Kings are losing. He said about the only thing Westphal says to the players is Number 15 go into the game. Number 24, goi into the game. No, great job, as they come off the floor. No talking to them if they make a mistake, by Westphal or the coaching staff. No anything. I'm sure he's exaggerating to some extent, but everywhere I look, I see writing on the wall.

At some point there has to be some sort of change if this continues. Either a trade for some kind of impact player that can make a dramatic difference, or Westphal saying goodbye. You can't fire all the players. So either you change some of them up, or you get a new field general.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Because not continuing with Westphal who I think is doing a decent job with lots of young, inexperienced players, would send absolutely the wrong message to these players, taking them off the hook, saying its not their fault, its the coach's fault.

That's a really good point. but, what if Westphal's constant lineup tinkering and bizarre rotations really are the problem that's keeping this team from gelling?

 

[pshn80]

That's a really good point. but, what if Westphal's constant lineup tinkering and bizarre rotations really are the problem that's keeping this team from gelling?

Yeah, what if. That could be the case. Many on our site think so. I tend not to. You hire a coach to make the very decisions he's making. We, the fans, will not always agree, particularly on a site like this. The coach will make them on the best info and knowledge that he and his assistants and the trainers have. I, as yet, have no basis to say he is wrong. Let's keep on playing. All have to admit this has become an amazing season so far.

 

[ArcoKings]

I'm one of those that want PW to stay and finish his contract out at least BUT I just have a gut feeling that PWs days as Kings coach are counted. As bajaden posted above things are lousy in Sacramento. If a coaching change does happen it needs to be someone with past success, who is a good teacher and can work with young players. Who is available? I don't know. Which person would want the job knowing that the Kings have played musical coaches the last 4 seasons? One thing is for sure, this coach will want to get PAID. Its not easy. I don't think any of the current assistant coaches on the team can do better than PW except for Coachie but his age may be an issue.

 

[Kingster]

I'm assuming that your jesting with Natt. I still think it will be one of the assistant coaches that will get the job if in fact Westphal is let go. I can appreciate those that don't want another coaching change. Its the last thing I wanted. But happens if we end up 5 and 36 at the halfway point? We still ride the same horse? How about 5 and 50? What then? I mean there will come a time when enough is enough. The Maloofs weren't their usual happy go lucky selves at the last game. They looked tired and drawn, and serious.

If you want to keep Westphal a while longer because you don't want to go through yet another coaching change, I understand. But please, please, don't try and tell me he's doing a stellar job, and its all the players fault.. If thats true, then I, or any of you could do just as good a job. I think I'm capable of putting up a 5 and 20 mark without breaking a sweat. I was listening to the Don Geronimo show yesterday. And he's by no means an expert on basketball or coaching. But apparently has seats near the Kings bench and can hear the conversations. He said that after goiing to the last few games he can see why the Kings are losing. He said about the only thing Westphal says to the players is Number 15 go into the game. Number 24, goi into the game. No, great job, as they come off the floor. No talking to them if they make a mistake, by Westphal or the coaching staff. No anything. I'm sure he's exaggerating to some extent, but everywhere I look, I see writing on the wall.

At some point there has to be some sort of change if this continues. Either a trade for some kind of impact player that can make a dramatic difference, or Westphal saying goodbye. You can't fire all the players. So either you change some of them up, or you get a new field general.

I think Westphal is at least an average NBA coach. His best player is a cripple and his second best player is a 10-year old in center's body and he's got no upper tier veteran that can close the deal on the floor. I think it's absurd to think about making a coaching decision mid-year. It's about as immature as Cousins has been lately.
Whoooopppeeee! The coach is gone. Yaee! I feel so much better now. Everything is going to be just fine. Start the New Year right. Yeah, RIGHT!

If the Maloofs fire him mid-year they definitely will fulfill my perception of them: GUTLESS.

And then this franchise will continue to spiral, spiral downward, downward and downward. You see, at the end end of the day, it would be: A COPOUT. When the going gets tough, fire the coach. It makes it so easy on the players. No, it's not your fault, baby. It's the coach. See, they fired him. Just like I was telling you, baby. Everything is gonna be just fine...And what would would players do after that? SEE KENNY NATT. That's what they do. They TANK. You think you're frustrated with these close losses; you aint' seen nothing yet. At least these guys are trying. They are playing hard. They haven't given up. Westphal hasn't given up. The fans are the one's that have given up. Wave the white flag. But if Westphal is fired, it will take an Act of God for them to even appear to be trying for any assistant they promote. The season will be over them them. They can go on their merry way, knowing that there is always that backstop for them - just fire the coach. And we can start this loop all over again...

 

[Bricklayer]

I think Westphal is at least an average NBA coach. His best player is a cripple and his second best player is a 10-year old in center's body and he's got no upper tier veteran that can close the deal on the floor. I think it's absurd to think about making a coaching decision mid-year. It's about as immature as Cousins has been lately.
Whoooopppeeee! The coach is gone. Yaee! I feel so much better now. Everything is going to be just fine. Start the New Year right. Yeah, RIGHT!

If the Maloofs fire him mid-year they definitely will fulfill my perception of them: GUTLESS.

And then this franchise will continue to spiral, spiral downward, downward and downward. You see, at the end end of the day, it would be: A COPOUT. When the going gets tough, fire the coach. It makes it so easy on the players. No, it's not your fault, baby. It's the coach. See, they fired him. Just like I was telling you, baby. Everything is gonna be just fine...And what would would players do after that? SEE KENNY NATT. That's what they do. They TANK. You think you're frustrated with these close losses; you aint' seen nothing yet. At least these guys are trying. They are playing hard. They haven't given up. Westphal hasn't given up. The fans are the one's that have given up. Wave the white flag. But if Westphal is fired, it will take an Act of God for them to even appear to be trying for any assistant they promote. The season will be over them them. They can go on their merry way, knowing that there is always that backstop for them - just fire the coach. And we can start this loop all over again...

Oh stop it. Coaches get canned midseason all the time in the NBA, and the one almost constant is that the immedaite short term is a benefit as everybody shapes up to impress the new guy. Whether they stay shaped up largely depends on whether the new guy can reach them. Its kinda worked out a few times too - Ask Rick Adelman or Gregg Popovich how they got their starts. In any case, once a team sayd you're out as a coach, you;re out as a coach. Not a right or a wrong issue, its just over. Once you lose their attention and they start sayign "talk to the hand" you might as well pack your bags and go home. And from a franchise's standpoint, especially with a team that now probably has several long term cornerstoens for the future, you do not want those guys to sour on the entire situation. the coach sucks, the fans suck, why am I here again?

 

[rainmaker]

I don't agree with the opinion Westphal has lost the team. I have seen nothing which would make me believe that. Of course everyone from coaches to players are fustrated as hell right now, and the mood behind the scenes can't be good.

Having said that, there are other coaches who can get more out of the talent we have. The substitution patterns are my biggest bone to pick with Westphal right now. I have no clue what he's doing with our sf's. Donte plays great, and is forgotten about. Then, he basically plays musical chairs with Omri and Cisco, and it seems one of them gets minutes every other game. Zero consistency there. There's also his infatuation with Landry, who no matter how crappy he plays gets JT's 2nd half minutes.

I would like to give Westphal a chance with a veteran pg running the team, along with a healthy Tyreke. But I'm not sure he'll make it that long if we don't string together at least a couple wins. Trade deadline is still 2 months away.

 

[Kingster]

Oh stop it. Coaches get canned midseason all the time in the NBA, and the one almost constant is that the immedaite short term is a benefit as everybody shapes up to impress the new guy. Whether they stay shaped up largely depends on whether the new guy can reach them. Its kinda worked out a few times too - Ask Rick Adelman or Gregg Popovich how they got their starts. In any case, once a team sayd you're out as a coach, you;re out as a coach. Not a right or a wrong issue, its just over. Once you lose their attention and they start sayign "talk to the hand" you might as well pack your bags and go home. And from a franchise's standpoint, especially with a team that now probably has several long term cornerstoens for the future, you do not want those guys to sour on the entire situation. the coach sucks, the fans suck, why am I here again?

No kidding? Coaches get fired mid-year? Really? Didn't know that. Thanks for educating me. And thanks for that homile: once you lose their attention then you've lost them. Love the wisdom there.

Let me impart some wisdom to you. If the Kings fire Westphal mid-season, what message does that send our 10-year old Cuz? Hugh? Ponder that. He acts up like his immature self and voila - coach is fired. What a fantastic precedent that would be for young Cuz and his development.... I can just see Cousins taking flight in maturity over that move.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Let me impart some wisdom to you. If the Kings fire Westphal mid-season, what message does that send our 10-year old Cuz? Hugh? Ponder that. He acts up like his immature self and voila - coach is fired. What a fantastic precedent that would be for young Cuz and his development.... I can just see Cousins taking flight in maturity over that move.

In some cases I would agree with you, but I just don't see that as the situation here. If Westphal gets fired, it's because the team is losing and there are numerous problems with the coach. This is not a situation where a team that is performing decently would be catering to a players who is clashing with the coach. I don't think it would send the wrong message. And we certainly would not be firing Westphal because he made Cousins come off the bench for his immaturity. We are currently 5-21 with a .192 winning percentage. I'd imagine if we did fire him, it would be because in mid to late January we are about 7-28. If any player mistakes that as condoning their poor behavior, that is more an issue with the player than the change itself.

 

[sactownfan]

Petrie called out cousins and he isnt going anywhere..... so weither or not paul stays or goes.... Petrie is still not happy with cousins behavior

 

[Bricklayer]

No kidding? Coaches get fired mid-year? Really? Didn't know that. Thanks for educating me. And thanks for that homile: once you lose their attention then you've lost them. Love the wisdom there.

Let me impart some wisdom to you. If the Kings fire Westphal mid-season, what message does that send our 10-year old Cuz? Hugh? Ponder that. He acts up like his immature self and voila - coach is fired. What a fantastic precedent that would be for young Cuz and his development.... I can just see Cousins taking flight in maturity over that move.

It sends the message that EVERYBODY is accountable, INCLUDING the coach. It sends the message that the team is serious about winning. It sends the wins that a 15 win pace is not good enough. It sends a lot of messgaes, but most of all it solves a major problem. Your Cousins fetish aside, I don't think we can point to a single individual on the team who is happy with Westphal at the moment. Maybe they do not all want him fired. But they all have questions, and they are all frustrated. These guys wanted to win this year. They're not, and rightly or wrongly they see the coach as one of the things holding them back. When its one or two guys, if it were just Cosuins banging heads it would be one thing. When its pretty much everybody in one way or another, that coach is a dead man walking.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

Mike Woodson or Mark Jackson?

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I so sick of the "he doesnt have enough talent" or the "he doesnt have any veteran's" excuses.

Last season we had less talent and more injuries and managed to stay around .500 for the first 30 or so games. This year, and the second half of last season ( when the rotation thing really got insane ) has been a different story.

Young teams CAN win games. It happens all the time. And its not even really a wins thing, up until this past week we were getting absolutely destroyed every night. I dont see one player who is better this year than he was last year, and in wayyy to many cases players got worse. It has a lot to do with the players, but you cant trade all of them. The common factor is the coach.

We are the worst team in the league. The worst. At the very least Westphal should be on the hot seat. He isnt fired yet, but when your team has been as bad as we have, his job has to be in question. I would be scared if it wasnt.

The problem now is that after the whole DUI thing, I cant say Ellie is mature enough to take over this team. If we fire Westphal, I think its going to have to be a whole staff thing like the Bobcats did with Larry. And really, when it comes down to it, only positive things can come from this. We are at rock bottom.

 

[Glenn]

The team has lost me as a fan. I no longer watch unless I hear something interesting happened and then I watch a replay. Common wisdom in situations like this, right or wrong, is that the coach gets canned. At this point in this note, insert whatever Brick says as I think he is right on. I cannot believe that Westphal is being defended. I have never seen a coach start a guy and then a few days later give the guy no minutes. They will never develop as a team because 5 guys seldom are on the court together more than twice a week. Never! How can the learn to function as a team?

I will always hope we will have a good team here and I will always like the Kings. I will not watch what is happening on the court this year and I suspect I represent the average fan more than most people on this forum. You get to a point where you don't care. I'm not there yet but I don't care to watch.

Call me names, a poor fan, or whatever you wish but I am not stupid and I have a life full of joyful options. It is up to the Kings to give me a reason to want to watch them.

 

[sacgirl88]

accord to jimmy spencer via twitter

At this point, I don't think it's as safe as some are reporting RT @sacgirl88: @JimmypSpencer do you think that his job is in jeopardy yet?
http://twitter.com/#!/JimmypSpencer

 

[rainmaker]

accord to jimmy spencer via twitter

At this point, I don't think it's as safe as some are reporting RT @sacgirl88: @JimmypSpencer do you think that his job is in jeopardy yet?
http://twitter.com/#!/JimmypSpencer

What's also interesting is what he tweeted just before that. Not good.

Here's a long story, broken into a few tweets: A reporter in the postgame news conference asked Westphal about a situation

in the fourth quarter in which Cousins walked by Westphal, whose hand was out for a high-five.

The rookie declined the high-five; so Westphal grabbed his hand and said something along the lines of, “Don’t do that to me.” cont

The reporter then asked Westphal to explain the scene to which the coach answered pointedly: “No.”

 

[kingsboi]

Yeah, I just read that tweet about Cousins and Westphal. To say that things are getting out of hand is the biggest understatement I could make on here.