What really are the Maloofs intentions?

[Gary]

I guess the point I was trying to make with the post above is that I don't think this addressed any needs as the team stands NOW.. But I don't think by the time we are back in the playoffs that the vets we have now will be around. So if Hawes is better than 80% of the starting centers out there, and we grab a scoring/rebounding/defending/blockshots/stud of a PF to work with Hawes than we will be fine... It's just going to take a long time if Petrie gets one piece a year.

 

[TaxMan]

I guess the point I was trying to make with the post above is that I don't think this addressed any needs as the team stands NOW.. But I don't think by the time we are back in the playoffs that the vets we have now will be around. So if Hawes is better than 80% of the starting centers out there, and we grab a scoring/rebounding/defending/blockshots/stud of a PF to work with Hawes than we will be fine... It's just going to take a long time if Petrie gets one piece a year.

Hey Gary - That's exactly the attitude I'm taking. I can't view this as an answer to last year's problems, because obviously it's not. But if we have a long range plan, and Hawes was viewed as the best fit for that long range plan, I'm willing to give it a couple years to fully evaluate the pick.

Thinking anything less, and you'll likely start to drive yourself crazy. Have a good weekend, man.

 

[Sum182]

I'm really beginning to wonder if the Maloofs really want to stay here. There's been NO word on the Arena situation at all.

The Reggie Theus hiring was a total surprise and shock. They didn't even want to give Terry Porter an interview.

I was all for Joakim Noah coming to the Kings, but when I heard Chicago call his name, I thought, "Ok, the Kings don't want Spencer". There's a couple of players still out there such as Al Thornton, Acie Law or Julian Wright.

But then I heard Spencer's name. Yes, he may have an offensive type game, but what about defensively? He average 6.4 rebounds for a 7'1" center. Is the Kings going to be able to use this guy right away? Might as well stick with Brad Miller.

Right now, every team in the WEST is either making trades or trying to. NO WORD at all from the Kings organization. I've been reading from members here that we need to be patient....FOR WHAT? Every team is doing something NOW.

Please, someone, give me some light at the end of the tunnel, because right now I'm disgusted with what has been happening so far.

Thank you for writing this for me, you saved me some time.

I agree with you 100%. The Kings are quiet, while the other teams are doing changes, or at least trying. The problem is with Petrie and the Maloofs. The Maloofs don't like to spend money on the team, they dont like to take risks. In this game you have to be able to take risks, but the maloofs aren't those kind of guys.

You know, I was one of those who wanted adelman out. But If I would've known that the managers would choose some coaches that have some low quality basketball, I would've prefered to stay with Rick Adelman. Here they got rid of a large contract. (He was the best payed coach by that time).

When the Kings traded Chris Webber, I got very dissapointed. We got three guys that played in a lower level that the one that Webber played. They got rid of a large contract here too.

This shows us that the NBA is not a Game, It's a business. And the Maloofs know that very well, don't they? It's all about the money for them.

Pacience???? I dont think that's the answer. Hope??? Nope. I just think you have to start getting used to this....

 

[VF21]

Thank you for writing this for me, you saved me some time.

I agree with you 100%. The Kings are quiet, while the other teams are doing changes, or at least trying. The problem is with Petrie and the Maloofs. The Maloofs don't like to spend money on the team, they dont like to take risks. In this game you have to be able to take risks, but the maloofs aren't those kind of guys.

You know, I was one of those who wanted adelman out. But If I would've known that the managers would choose some coaches that have some low quality basketball, I would've prefered to stay with Rick Adelman. Here they got rid of a large contract. (He was the best payed coach by that time).

When the Kings traded Chris Webber, I got very dissapointed. We got three guys that played in a lower level that the one that Webber played. They got rid of a large contract here too.

This shows us that the NBA is not a Game, It's a business. And the Maloofs know that very well, don't they? It's all about the money for them.

Pacience???? I dont think that's the answer. Hope??? Nope. I just think you have to start getting used to this....

Have you attended any Kings games where the Maloofs were present?

You can make a lot of complaints about them, but saying they just think it's a business is wrong. They are, more than anything else, fans. They want this team to win.

If anything, they aren't patient. They make decisions without considering all the ramifications, which is what I personally think happened with Webber and even Artest.

They didn't get rid of Adelman for his contract. Honest. They got rid of Adelman because the Maloofs and Adelman come from different worlds and they simply couldn't communicate any longer.

And they didn't get rid of Webber for his contract because we took back the exact same amount.

Just setting the record straight...

EDIT: One more thing? Rick Adelman WASN'T the highest paid coach at the time.

 

[kennadog]

Hey Gary - That's exactly the attitude I'm taking. I can't view this as an answer to last year's problems, because obviously it's not. But if we have a long range plan, and Hawes was viewed as the best fit for that long range plan, I'm willing to give it a couple years to fully evaluate the pick.

Thinking anything less, and you'll likely start to drive yourself crazy. Have a good weekend, man.

I sure as heck hope it's not an answer to last year's problems, because I don't want last year's team. On the other hand, I don't necessarily expect the upcoming year to be better. May even be worse. But trying to clean out this roster has to start somewhere and I don't think the way to do it is by trying to "fix" last year's team.

 

[VF21]

I sure as heck hope it's not an answer to last year's problems, because I don't want last year's team. On the other hand, I don't necessarily expect the upcoming year to be better. May even be worse. But trying to clean out this roster has to start somewhere and I don't think the way to do it is by trying to "fix" last year's team.

I totally and completely agree.

I actually think this team - even without any more additions - is going to be more fun to watch than last year's.

 

[Sum182]

The Maloofs are such great fans like you and me? That's what you r saying?

The difference is that they have the power, the power to make changes. They had the power to get a good coach, or at least an avarege coach. They had the power to sign Van Gundy, but what happened? because of that patience we lost that opportunity.

I talk of patience in terms of years That's the only patience I know from the kings.

But I dont want to discuss more with you, VF21 because you have the power too, the power to ban me. lol just kidding.

 

[VF21]

The Maloofs are such great fans like you and me? That's what you r saying?

I'm saying their interest in the Kings is much more than just the money. NBA team owners don't make a lot of money off the team. In fact, unless a team makes the playoffs, they usually operate at a loss.

The difference is that they have the power, the power to make changes. They had the power to get a good coach, or at least an avarege coach. They had the power to sign Van Gundy, but what happened? because of that patience we lost that opportunity.

I don't know how you can figure that. Van Gundy was in Sacramento ONLY because he thought the Orlando opening was gone. As soon as he found out they still wanted him, he bolted. It wasn't patience that lost us Stan Van Gundy. It was ... well, let's be honest. Sacramento isn't Orlando. And Van Gundy has numerous ties to Orlando.

You talk of patience in what terms? in terms of years? That's the only patience I know from the kings.

I don't really know what you're saying here. I think the Maloofs do things on the spur of the moment sometimes because they are anything but patient. I think they want to make decisions and move on so sometimes they make decisions they later regret. But that's just my opinion because I don't know them personally and cannot really say...

EDIT: Since you revised your comments, I'll add one more thing. We're starting to rebuild. We've barely cleared the ground for the foundation. The project won't be completed for several years, at least. If you don't have the patience and endurance to wait it out you're going to be even more frustrated in the near future than you are right now.

 

[Sum182]

I'm saying their interest in the Kings is much more than just the money. NBA team owners don't make a lot of money off the team. In fact, unless a team makes the playoffs, they usually operate at a loss.

That's why they don't spend much money. They aren't doing invesments with the team, they can't. They can spend on the team, without getting something back. That's my point of view.

They like to invest, not spend.

 

[kennadog]

Spending a lot of money doesn't guarantee success either. Hasn't done much for the Knicks and didn't help the Mavs this year.

On the other hand, the Spurs have done quite well, while spending modestly.

 

[Sum182]

Spending a lot of money doesn't guarantee success either. Hasn't done much for the Knicks and didn't help the Mavs this year.

On the other hand, the Spurs have done quite well, while spending modestly.

Agree. But it helps.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I'm saying their interest in the Kings is much more than just the money. NBA team owners don't make a lot of money off the team. In fact, unless a team makes the playoffs, they usually operate at a loss.

Absolutely correct. One of the biggest myths in all of pro sports is that people buy teams to make big juicy profits. What a joke! As you point out they almost all lose money, or maybe barely break even. Pro sports franchises are basically play things for a small class of super rich sports nuts - always have been. I remember when the Maloofs first came to Sac they went on and on about how they'd been itching to get an NBA franchise for over a decade and were mad that their family had sold the Houston Rockets in the early 1980's. They made the point that it lost money every year they owned the team, but that they'd made a little dough when sold in recovering previous operating losses. What would they do without those other REAL gravy train businesses such as their casino resort, beer distributing, etc?

 

[kennadog]

You make your money on a franchise when you sell, but then you've sold your franchise. And I don't imagine its a huge profit, if you start subtracting out the original investment, all the operating loses, luxury tax and other costs over the years. If you manage to actually net a profit, Uncle Sam and CA will be in line for their share.

 

[fnordius]

According to Forbes, the team has made money most years since the Maloofs bought it, is in the black for that time period overall, and has been consistently making money since '02-'03. The Maloofs are also supposed to have gotten 150% appreciation on their 9 year investment, which should be some consolation for the low profit margin. Forbes could be wrong, I suppose, but that's what they claim.
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/32/biz_06nba_Sacramento-Kings_327146.html

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I like this site, but if I have to be friendly and cordial about sports talk, and it's enforced, maybe this isn't the right site for me...

Maybe it isn't. You don't have to be "friendly," and you certainly don't have to agree with everybody, but a degree of cordiality is expected.

 

[JoMama]

I would love to love this pick, but I just cant...

Ok now for the points I would love some insight on;

1. We complained (myself for one) about the lack of athleticism out on the floor.

2. We complained last year at the lack of rebounding out on the floor.

3. We complained about the lack of defense out on the floor.

With this pick how did we address this?

Nicely summarized. We didn't address any of the weaknesses at the 5. Anybody who says we did with the Hawes pick is smoking some mind-altering stuff.

 

[VF21]

1. We complained (myself for one) about the lack of athleticism out on the floor.

2. We complained last year at the lack of rebounding out on the floor.

3. We complained about the lack of defense out on the floor.

With this pick how did we address this? I can live with the decision that we are in a TOTAL rebuild where basically we are waiting for Artest, Bibby, and Miller to come off the books before we are a total team. Basically it's Martin, Garcia, Douby, and Hawes that are here. I guess we have to look at it that way. Can Hawes become a top ten center? Sure, why not.... Will Hawes ever be a dominant rebounder? Probally not... As long as he can run the floor and hit open shots, and grab about 8 boards a game while scoring 16-17 and 3 or so assists than I think I will be happy.

Did you really expect the #10 pick to address all those concerns?

Most people were clamoring for Petrie to take the BPA. By most assessments - meaning the majority of mock drafts I saw referred to - Hawes WAS the BPA when we picked. Was he the BP to address your concerns? Don't know yet.

There were two obvious and immediate superstars in this year's draft. We didn't get either of them. Petrie grabbed the BPA with consideration given to him being a legitimate 7 footer, which has also been the consensus around here as the right thing to do.

I'm not sure why some people immediately want to rule Hawes out as being anything we can even use but I suspect it's because they had conned themselves into thinking we actually had a chance at Yi or someone else that went earlier.

Petrie did his best but, as someone said recently, it takes two to tango. If no one would trade with Petrie, he had to do the best he could at the 10. And I personally think he did. Whether you - or anyone else - thinks he should have selected another small forward is something I'm sure we'll talk about for a long time.

My point is that Hawes was a legitimate top 10 selection all summer in the vast majority of draft analyses. We picked at the 10 and we got the one that was there.

I know people have a lot of reasons to criticize the Maloofs, Petrie and everything else under the sun. I just don't think bashing Hawes is the way to do it.

As far as addressing our needs, I'm always a little surprised by this comment. If anyone truly knows the needs of the Kings, it's Geoff Petrie. But knowing what we need and being able to immediately get out of this horrible mess we're in are two different things.

Remember, when you're up to your arse in alligators it's a little hard to remember your original objective was to drain the swamp.

We are finally in rebuild mode. It isn't gonna be quick and it isn't necessarily gonna be pretty. What it is gonna be is time-consuming. Rome - and successful teams - aren't built in a day. You have to try, IMHO, to keep the big picture in mind and give it time to develop. It's rather like trying to figure out what an elephant looks like by only seeing the tip of its tail.

 

[RIP miyagi]

i think people are overreacting about this pick too much. The fact is that he is only 19 years old and he knows what he has to work on to be better. He acknowledged it after we drafted him. I'm loving the fact that he actually knows how to play in the post unlike brad.

 

[fansinceday1]

I would have been happy if this draft pick answered ONE of our needs. Just ONE! Was that too much to ask? Apparently it was.

I think the kings are where the 9ers were 5 years ago. They were in salary cap hell and it took them a LLLOOONNNGGG time to work their way out. A lot of that salary cap hell was brought on by bad management. The 9ers didnt just blow up the team, they blew up the front office. It might be time to do the same here. At least as a niner fan we all knew where the team was going. We knew that we were starting from scratch. We knew that there were going to be some really bad years and that we had to tollerate them to get through the contracts the 9ers had. With the kings I have NO IDEA where we are going. If we are going to rebuild then tell us we are going to start over! I can tollerate really bad years if I know we are building toward something.

 

[VF21]

This off-season for the first time the Maloofs have actually said the "rebuilding" word. It's pretty apparent that up until this point they really wanted Petrie to reload on the fly, trying to bandaid our way into the playoffs each year. Fate, poor player combinations and a total trainwreck of a coach all contributed to finally reveal that plan to be unworkable.

So now, we're rebuilding. But we can't just throw everyone away and start anew. We have to do whatever is feasible to bring in some new talent while we watch the old talent either fade away or (hopefully) find a way to move them for something in return.

Although people talk a lot about buying out contracts, it's only done as a last resort. It's just not something most owners are willing to do unless they have absolutely and completely no other choice.

The Maloofs have said we're rebuilding. It's not starting over because we can't get rid of all the players we really need to move to make a new start. It will be, I think, a major shift in philsophy that we'll notice first. Bringing Theus in was a part of it. Making offers to Price and Williams was a part of it. Drafting Hawes is a part of it.

The 49ers had totally different problems. If Eddie hadn't had to get rid of the team we wouldn't have been in the situation we found ourselves in. I put a lot of blame on Dr. York and his tinkering with the team when he had no idea what the hell he was doing.

Anyway, this isn't about the Niners. It's about the Kings. And it's gonna boil down to whether or not you can watch another team you love go through the sometimes painful process of rebuilding.

As a Niner fan, you should be used to it.



EDIT: And one of our needs was "tall." We did address that need. Hawes is tall. And it was either him or another player under 6'9" and I can't even begin to imagine how the board would have reacted if we had picked another tweener.

 

[Sum182]

What benefit do the Maloofs have spending on the team? They still are having sell-outs. What else do they want? Maybe they don't make much money from the team, so why should they spend even more of their money on the Kings?

 

[VF21]

What are you talking about?

They want a championship. They are - as I've tried to point out - SUPER FANS who happen to own a team. It's more like an expensive hobby with them, if you want to try and figure out why they spend money.

Why do rich people have yachts? Why do rich people own six different houses?

 

[Sum182]

What are you talking about?

They want a championship. They are - as I've tried to point out - SUPER FANS who happen to own a team. It's more like an expensive hobby with them, if you want to try and figure out why they spend money.

Why do rich people have yachts? Why do rich people own six different houses?

They are super fans of the Kings. But they are ULTRA FANS of that thing called money. They don't like to spend a lot on the team. At least that's what they always have showed us, the fans.

I heard that some years from now, when Webber wanted to leave to have a better salary, the Maloofs didn't actually raised his contract to make him stay, they went as far as making a Billboard telling him not to leave.

They are the type of guys that dont like to spend a lot. They prefer making investments.

 

[kennadog]

The Maloofs gave Bibby and Webber gigantic contracts. That's partly why we are in salary hell right now. They over spent. Which is much easier to say in hindsight. And the fans were caught up too. They would've gone absolutely bonkers if Webber or Bibby had gone elsewhere, and they thought it was because the Maloofs wouldn't meet some high salary demand.

Guess what they learned? You can throw a ton of money at a team and it doesn't guarantee a championship or even a good team.

 

[Sum182]

Guess what they learned? You can throw a ton of money at a team and it doesn't guarantee a championship or even a good team.

So thats why they dont make a move...according to you.

 

[VF21]

They are super fans of the Kings. But they are ULTRA FANS of that thing called money. They don't like to spend a lot on the team. At least that's what they always have showed us, the fans.

I heard that some years from now, when Webber wanted to leave to have a better salary, the Maloofs didn't actually raised his contract to make him stay, they went as far as making a Billboard telling him not to leave.

They are the type of guys that dont like to spend a lot. They prefer making investments.

Dude, I really don't want to be rude, but you don't know what you're talking about. Period.

Webber was a free agent. As part of the campaign to get him to re-sign with the Kings, Joe Maloof took out a billboard jokingly saying if Webber did sign again with the Kings he would make sure Gavin mowed his (Webber's) lawn. It WAS A JOKE!

The Maloofs do spend a lot. They haven't recently because we had one of the top three salaries in the NBA. We're finally getting back down to a place where we might be able to make a decent attempt to grab a high-priced free agent in a couple of years. To do that, you have to quit spending obscene amounts of money in order to create salary cap space so you can revert to spending obscene amounts of money.

/end of Finances 101

 

[Sum182]

The Maloofs do spend a lot. They haven't recently because we had one of the top three salaries in the NBA. We're finally getting back down to a place where we might be able to make a decent attempt to grab a high-priced free agent in a couple of years. To do that, you have to quit spending obscene amounts of money in order to create salary cap space so you can revert to spending obscene amounts of money.

I see....They do spend a lot....In their hotel and beer company. You say that we recently had one of the top three salaries in the NBA. And then you say that we didn't get rid of Webber because of his salary. We got the same amount but not in one player, but in three. That's how much they were valued. And that's how they played.... Now, they want to get rid of the highest contract we have: Mike Bibby. It's interesting that almost everytime, when they want to make changes, they look at highest contract.

 

[VF21]

Whatever you say.

 

[kennadog]

So thats why they dont make a move...according to you.

Read again. Nowhere did I say any such thing. All I said is throwing more money at something, does not always guarantee improvement.

 

[VF21]

It's like arguing philsophy with a jar of peanut butter, kennadog...