WikiLeaks reveals Top Secret Behind-the-Scenes memos from the Kings organization (including latest memo on DeMarcus)

Lost among the thousands and thousands of confidential State Department memos released by WikiLeaks on Sunday was a slew of memos from the upper echelon of the Sacramento Kings organization.

They are revealing and sometimes embarrassing, but we are doling them out as a public service.

Nov 1, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Paul Westphal
From: Geoff Petrie

Hi Paul. Just wondering when you might be inclined to install an offense. I was peaking in at practice the other day and saw a lot of the fellas standing around and snacking. Any chance you could brief me on the progress.

Nov. 2, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Geoff Petrie
From: Paul Westphal

Thanks for spying on us, Mr. Busy Body. That was our offense. It's complicated, though. We do a lot of decoy stuff and many of the players say they enjoy watching my main man Tyreke just do his thing. You don't want me to start messing with our Rookie of the Year, do you?

Nov. 10, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Grant Napear
From: Gavin and Joe Maloof

Grant, we want to make sure you have the game plan for the new season. DeMarcus Cousins needs to be positioned as the team stud. Forget about the his immaturity, lack of jumping ability, and complete indifference on defense. Go nuts every time he touches the ball. Every time. Do you understand? Feel free to mix in plenty of that catchphrase of yours, "If you don't like DeMarcus Cousins, you're an inbred hillbilly" -- or whatever it is. We don't listen to you that much.

Nov. 16, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Gavin and Joe Maloof
From: Geoff Petrie

Hi boys. Just wanted to update you on our coach. I'm not so sure we made the right call on this guy. He seems to lack a little bit in the teaching department. And the strategy department. And the game-management department. And the ability to relate-to-his-players department. I was wondering if we could possibly eat his salary and hire a real coach.

Nov. 17, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Geoff Petrie
From: Joe and Gavin Maloof

That was a joke, right? We can barely afford the insurance payments on our matching lime green Lamborghinis. I suggest you suck it up and give the guy some coaching of your own. P.S. When did you become such a whiner?

Nov. 23, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Geoff Petrie
From: Paul Westphal

Hi Geoff. I was wondering if it's too late to add to those giant banners of DeMarcus and Tyreke on the side of the arena. Some of the players are asking why they aren't pictured. I agree. Luther Head and Pooh Jeter have scheduled photo sessions with the team photographer. I think it will exemplify our new team philosophy. By the way, I've come up with slogans for each of them: "Get Head" and "Smells Like Pooh." Whaddya think?

Nov. 24, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Joe and Gavin Maloof
From: Geoff Petrie

Hi guys. I think our coach has gone off the deep end. We really need to do something. I don't usually like to use this description, but we suck.

Nov. 26, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Geoff Petrie
From: Joe and Gavin Maloof

Hey Geoff, stop complaining about the coach. You haven't exactly made a trade that made either of our pants damp in a decade. All you do is stand in in the corner during the games and act all cerebral and stuff. You ain't so smart. I mean, Antoine Wright? Really?

Nov. 29, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Geoff Petrie, Gavin & Joe Maloof
From: Paul Westphal

Um, I don't want to sound scared, but I'm sending this memo from a cubicle in the locker room bathroom. I think that DeMarcus fellow is a little mad at me. He seems like he might have some anger issues and I was wondering if maybe we could get him some counseling. Wait, someone is pounding on the door. Oh, no... gotta go...

Nov. 29, 2010
Inter-office Memo
To: Gavin Maloof
From: Joe Maloof

We are so screwed.

Get Mr. Tyreke Evans a coach. Stat.

It's officially time for someone to start coaching Tyreke Evans.

Amazingly, he is hurting this team far more than helping it. And it all stems from last year's ridiculous chase for 20-5-5.

Paul Westphal has coddled this guy from Day One, telling him he's the next NBA superstar and handing him the keys to the team without giving him Driver's Ed.

Now Evans, hampered by injured ankles, still thinks his main job is to save the rest of the team by pumping up bad shots, driving to the lane recklessly, and alienating teammates by refusing to give up the ball.

Opponents have figured out his game, but Evans has not been schooled on how to adjust his.

Saturday night's second-half meltdown to the Bulls wasn't all on his shoulders, but his ill-advised shots in the fourth quarter are emblematic of his lack of progress.

This falls on Westphal's shoulders. It is his job to instruct and teach.

It's too bad, the Kings looked energized and focused in the first half. But there is no excuse for what happened in the second half. I repeat, no excuse.

You don't let a team on the tail-end of a two-week road trip outhustle and outrun you in the final quarter at home. Period.

The Kings now have the worst home record in the NBA and easy part of their schedule is over.

This is going to get uglier folks.

Strap in for turbulence.

Do the Kings really have the building blocks for the future? Not really.

Everyone is always yakking about how the Kings are building a great base of players for the future.

But are they?

Do the Kings really have a core of potential-laden players ready to contend in two or three years?

My opinion is no. A resounding no.

And here's the reason: If you compare the core players on the Kings with the other bottom-half teams in the Western Conference, the results are not good.

Here's a look at the bottom dwellers and the verdict on which team I'd rather have in two years.

First, the Kings core:

Tyreke Evans
DeMarcus Cousins
Carl Landry
Donte Greene
Jason Thompson
Omri Casspi

Now let's compare those to other teams currently in the bottom 7 of the West:

Memphis Grizzlies
Rudy Gay
Marc Gasol
Zach Randolph
Mike Conley

Kings or Grizzlie: Grizzlies get the edge mainly because of Gay. He is smooth as silk and a clutch perfomer. Conley is coming on. Gasol is vastly underrated.

Golden State Warriors
Monta Ellis
Stephen Curry
David Lee

Kings or Warriors: Edge to Warriors on sheer firepower. Warriors will always be able to score. For the forseeable future, the Kings can't. And some believe Curry will end up being the better pro than Evans.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Love
Michael Beasley
Darko Milicic

Kings or Wolves: Kings get the edge solely because I can't take Darko seriously, but Love has been putting up sick numbers and Beasley is showing signs of being the off-season steal of the year. The Wolves can easily overtake the Kings if Ricky Rubio ever shows up.

Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin
Chris Kaman
Eric Gordon
Baron Davis

Kings or Clippers: Sorry folks, I'd take the Clippers because of two words: Blake Griffin. The guy is a superstar in the making. Kaman is a nice part and Gordon can fill it up. If they could ever get Baron Davis to take the game seriously again, they could contend for a playoff spot.

Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash
Robin Lopez
Channing Frye
Hedo Turkoglu

Kings or Suns: I'll take the Kings because Steve Nash can't possibly maintain his production numbers for the next three years. Without him, the Suns would be the bottom of the barrel.

Houston Rockets
Kevin Martin
Luis Scola
Shane Battier
Yao Ming
Aaron Brooks

Kings or Rockets: Yao will probably never be the same, but the Rockets are still a more complete team and figure to get better with all the high draft picks they've compiled for the next couple of seasons.

Conclusion: As currently constructed, the Kings don't figure to be an impact team in the West in two years. The other young teams have just as much and, in most cases, more potential.

This doesn't even take into account the upper-echelon teams in the West, which are not exactly light on having young, potential talent.

What can the Kings do? Well, they can get really lucky with a lottery pick, sign a high-priced free agent or Geoff Petrie can pull of a blockbuster trade. Fortunes can change fairly fast in the NBA. But anyone who thinks the current Kings team is a future title contender or even a sturdy playoff team is vastly overrating the team's talent and potential.

Time to put the bags on your heads, Kings fans -- this season is going down the tubes

That was thrilling.

Uh, no.

Remember when the Kings used to own their home court even when they didn't have much talent? Remember when you really enjoyed rooting for this team?

Yeah, neither do I. Seems like a hundred years ago. The team is now guilty of the most sinful of all sports sins. They are not only lousy. They are boring.

Unfortunately, the fans are starting to catch on.

Chloe, our 8-year-old correspondent for Kings Talking Points, caught up with an anonymous fan for a revealing interview.

Leave a comment to show your support for the bag.

Watch:

A win is a win, but color me unimpresssed

Excuse me if I don't celebrate.

A slim win at home over a lousy Nets team is no reason to get excited.

It did, however, leave me with a number of questions:

1. How on earth does Omri Casspi not even see the floor after starting almost every game this season? You are simply alienating players with this type of ridiculous rotation tinkering. Now Casspi hasn't exactly been a force this year, but he deserves more than a DNP. Westphal did the same thing with Donte Greene, basically burying him in the desert for weeks before we saw him again.

2. Why don't the Kings push the ball more? This team has zero tempo to its game and the shots come with a struggle in the half-court offense. It just doesn't make sense for the Kings to slow it down.

3. Why does Tyreke Evans still have free reign when he is bumbling on the court? It is frustrating to watch this guy when he is forcing the ball and turning the ball over. More than ever, he is proving that he is not a point guard.

4. Why am I so bored with this team? They just lack charisma. And they don't play as a team. Maybe they will come together as the season progresses, but right now, they are just not very interesting to watch.

Now some good points:

1. DeMarcus Cousins has some nice vision on the court. You can see him becoming one of the top passing centers in the league.

2. Donte Greene had a couple of good moments, especially on a steal and splash in the fourth quarter.

3. The defense looked steady at times, cutting down on the silly fouls.

Blockbuster Kings trade: Chris Bosh to the Kings. Would you do it?

Another game. Another blow to the enthusiasm of Kings fans.

Wednesday's loss to the Knicks was, once again, inexcusable.

You can't lose at home to a bad team playing the second of a back-to-back. Not when your slogan is "Here We Rise."

But there were some bright spots:

DeMarcus Cousins played with more intensity than we've seen all season.

Donte Greene was released from solitary confinement and actually looked capable of playing basketball.

And here's the best news: I just got off the phone with Geoff Petrie and he loves my new trade idea.

In fact, he says I should be the new Kings GM.

Then I woke up.

Seriously, here's a blockbuster deal that could shake up the league, get the juices flowing again, and perhaps change the direction of the entire Kings franchise.

Strangely enough, it's actually plausible. Improbable, perhaps. But very plausible.

So hold onto your jerseys, Kings fans, here's the game-changing trade:

SAMUEL DALEMBERT & CARL LANDRY & a No. 1 draft pick in 2012.

to the Miami Heat for

CHRIS BOSH

Yup, I told you it was a stunner.

So why does anyone make this trade?

Well, for the Kings, it's a matter of jump-starting the team's entire karma. Let's face it: Whatever's happening here is not working.

Dalembert and Landry are both solid veterans. But they are not the team's future. Neither figures to be around when the Kings are really set to contend.

Bosh instantly gives the Kings an impressive frontcourt scorer who has averaged 20 points and close to 10 rebounds for his career.

In addition, he is still very young (26).

On the contrarian side, Bosh has been called soft at times. I'm willing to overlook that since a certain Chris Webber used to suffer the same criticism and he seemed to do all right.

With Bosh onboard, Cousins moves back into the starting lineup at center. And he instantly becomes a much happier man.

For Miami, the reasons are less clear now but not entirely impossible to understand. The team has not fared well on defense and their lack of size is starting to make some people wonder about just how far they can go.

With Dalembert, the team instantly gets a large and extremely valuable inside defender and shot blocker. And he certainly won't be asked to score.

As for Landry, he gives them another honest NBA talent on a team that is very thin in that area. In many ways, Landry could fill the role he did with the Rockets. A solid-scoring, energy player off the bench.

But why would the Heat deal Bosh so soon after the arrival of "The Big Three?"

Well, it would certainly be an admission that their original strategy was faulty, but the results thus far prove that things aren't exactly going as planned.

Bosh's reputation is taking a beating and there are many who believe he didn't realize how tough it would be to become the third wheel. Reports say he looks uncomfortable and his scoring and rebounding averages are way down.

The trade also gets them out from Bosh's big-money deal and gives them some financial flexibility.

One caveat to this trade: It can't be finalized until after Dec. 15 due to contract considerations. However, it does work within the salary cap limitations.

Will this trade happen? Only if the Heat continue to struggle and panic a bit. And only if Geoff Petrie gets the go-ahead to get very creative with the team's money.

And probably only if I'm GM.

So I'm throwing my hat into the right now. Send your cards and letters to the Maloofs.

Ron Wenig for Kings GM.

The Sensational Official Report on the DeMarcus Cousins Incident

The Official Report of the DeMarcus Cousins incident was slipped to me at a Starbucks on Madison Avenue. The facts are both startling and revealing, but I had to take a solemn oath that I would only vacation at the Palms in exchange for releasing the details. Despite my qualms, I agreed.

Herein lie the details:

KINGS DISCIPLINARY REPORT
Date: Oct. 12, 2010
Time: Early morning
Place: Kings practice facility.

DETAILS: Mr. DeMarcus Cousins, a large man of some girth, was engaging in the practice of multiple curls under the tutelage of Mr. Daniel Shapiro, team strength coach and producer of the award-winning video: "Sweatin' With The Oldie Kings - Smokin' and Pumpin' Steel With Vlade."

At the time of the incident, Mr. Cousins was looking in the mirror and practicing his various snarls. Mr. Cousins admitted to an eyewitness that he is much more attractive when he snarls, but he is also known to scare teammates. Mr. Donte Greene, who once played basketball for the Kings, went into a three-week eating bender after Mr. Cousins tossed him "a very naughty look."

Mr. Shapiro claims that he asked Mr. Cousins to use a lower weight and do more reps. Mr. Cousins allegedly replied that he already had a good rep and didn't need multiple ones. "I think he was just joking," said Mr. Jason Thompson, who also used to play for the Kings.

At this exact time, Mr. Paul Westphal entered the facility and announced that he was ready to install a new offense. According to all witnesses, nobody heard Mr. Westphal. "We haven't listend to that dude in a year," Mr. Tyreke Evans noted. Mr. Westphal reportedly bowed his head and left muttering to himself.

At that point, Mr. Cousins started strutting around the room proclaiming that he was "buff enough" and needed no further work. Mr. Shapiro grew angry and told Mr. Cousins he needed to get back to work. Just then, according to onlookers, Mr. Darnell Jackson, a man that nobody knew was even on the team, picked up a barbell and started doing squats at an increasingly rapid pace. "That's what I'm talking about," Mr. Shapiro allegedly shouted to Mr. Cousins.

Mr. Cousins then took off his sweaty headband and proceeded to gag Mr. Shapiro. A shouting match ensued, followed by polite dancing and, finally, a healthy handshake.

RESULT: Mr. Cousins was fined an undisclosed amount and forced to watch five consecutive episodes of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" starring Adrienne Maloof.

No further details were made available.

There it is. Draw your own conclusions, folks.

Dysfunctional Kings have me pushing the panic button

Some disturbing news from ESPN's Marc Stein:

Word is that handling rookie forward DeMarcus Cousins is proving to be an even bigger job for coach Paul Westphal and his staff than expected, even after the Kings hired Cousins' high school coach (Otis Hughley) in hopes of keeping the 20-year-old -- freshly relegated to a bench role -- plugged in.

One source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Cousins was fined recently for clashing with members of Westphal's staff. I've also been advised that it's not one-and-done as far as such clashes go, which has created a level of tension that -- anticipated or not -- obviously isn't what the Kings need when they're already operating at such an experience deficit on top of their serious defensive frailties.

And how about this from Sam Amick of AOL Fanhouse:

For all of (Tyreke) Evans' dynamic talents and incredible skill, he remains a polarizing figure in-house because of the way he has been handled since coming on the scene last season. He was pitched as a point guard, then subsequently gained a reputation among scouts, front-office and coaching types as someone who -- no matter how many times he toes the company line -- only passes if he has to most of the time.

I have one word: Oy.

The season is quickly degenerating.

Cousins is your prototypical boom-or-bust pick. It's very early, but there is nothing booming about his play right now.

He looks supremely disinterested in defense. And his limited athletic ability has exposed a lot of deficiency on the offensive end.

Evans might be the root cause of the team's selfish offense.

Worst of all, Westphal is not the coach this team needs.  After Friday night's loss to the Suns, he was playing the moral-victory card.  This is not tee-ball.  You get no badges for trying hard in the NBA.

This is supposed to be a turnaround year for the Kings. It is incredibly crucial to keep fan enthusiasm alive.  The future of the franchise in Sacramento may hinge on it.

But Westphal and Kings management have botched it thus far.

There's still time to turn it around.

Fire Westphal today.  Bring in a coach who will give a young team a clear idea about their roles, demand unselfishness, and enforce structure and discipline.

Take the financial wraps off Geoff Petrie and let him explore a trade that might actually make the Kings better instead of saving them money.

I'm pretty sure that isn't going to happen.

So I'm pushing the panic button right now.

Just because I can.

Ugly and unacceptable

No need for a complicated post.

Tyreke Evans had almost no impact.

DeMarcus Cousins is obviously not a happy man.

And the Kings lose at home to the worst team in the league, a team playing the second of a back-to-back.

Undisciplined. Defenseless. Offensively inept.

Congrats on squandering the team's potential and talent.

Has Paul Westphal already lost his players? Could be.

The Bee's Jason Jones reported that Tyreke Evans said it seemed like the team was just going through the motions. Seven games into the season.

Westphal is a bad parent. He gives no structure (playing time and rotations are random). He sets no limits (players shoot at will and nobody knows their role). When that happens, the players rebel -- just like snotty toddlers. They become selfish on offense and offer no help on defense.

You see the results.

SEE MY POST BELOW for what should happen...

Westphal should be dismissed

Kings coach Paul Westphal doesn't get it.

And it shows on the court. So right now, I'm calling it.

Fire Westphal.

Sure, I could wait until the All-Star break. Or for an 8-game losing streak. After all, the team is just 3-3.

But I'm not waiting.

Fire Westphal.

Why? Well, there are many reasons. Let's get to it:

OFFENSE

What offense? Too many times, the offense consists of Tyreke Evans dribbling for the first 10 seconds, then darting into traffic, only to A.) throw up a bad shot B.) dish off an unbalanced pass to a lunging teammate C.) make a spectacular shot.

There is zero movement. Back-door plays are non-existent. There is not enough cutting, no moving of the ball from side-to-side.

A smart offense needs a philosophy of sharing and team basketball. Whether Westphal is preaching it or not, there is none of that evident on the court.

Good teams need discipline. Teams with DeMarcus Cousins really need discipline. There is no way Cousins should be firing up three-pointers or getting free reign to shoot with his current frequency.

Look at these numbers: He has hit just 18 of 46 shots in five games. That is an awful percentage for a skilled big man. It is also a sign that he is not clear about his role. Now, he's lost his starting job -- and despite claims to the contrary, I'd bet he isn't very happy about it. This is when a coach earns his salary. I'm not sure Westphal has the ability to handle the ramifications.

Speaking of roles, does anyone on the Kings know their role? Westphal used Carl Landry as his go-to guy against the Lakers, but he was a benched no-show against the Grizzlies, amassing a grand total of 19 minutes, 4 shots and 4 points and barely getting a sniff down the stretch. Landry has to be confused. How are you "the guy" one game and the "non-entity" the next?

Jason Thompson is another guy with a mystery role. He's now a backup small forward. How in the world did that happen?

Donte Greene is on milk cartons now, his once glorious potential completely wasted.

Players have no idea when they'll play or what their role should be. Westphal's rotations are so bizarre they border on random. And that is an awful recipe for a young team that needs structure.

DEFENSE

Without Samuel Dalembert, the Kings are easily the worst defensive team in the league.

Not a single player seems fundamentally strong. Everyone reaches and pokes and gets called for silly fouls. Opposing teams shred the Kings from the 3-point line (opponents are shooting more than 40% on threes)

Tyreke Evans has been weak on defense early in the season, getting exposed by quicker point guards. Penetration is almost a given.

The Kings surrender points at an alarming rates. You knew this was going to be a problem when they allowed the Timberwolves to score 116 points in the opener.

Defense, like offense, is a philosophy. It's hard work. It's aggressiveness. It's moving your feet and being smart and helping teammates. None of this is evident on Westphal's team.

SO SHOULD WESTPHAL GO?

I'm saying yes. Sure, it's early to pull a move look like this. But here's a better question: Has anybody seen enough to think Westphal can take this team to the next level. I haven't.

This team needs someone with a clear philosopy and a disciplined approach. Someone who can bring structure and instill an unselfish attitude.

They need someone who can school Evans and Cousins about what they need to do to become great NBA players.

They need someone to inspire and teach.

Too much to ask? Maybe.

But I think the move has to be made.

Kings are aimless and defenseless as they squander a chance to get back on track

So which team was playing the second game of a back-to-back and coming off a heartbreaking two-overtime defeat?

That would be the Memphis Grizzlies.

Not the Kings, who were sitting at home, well-rested, and supposedly ready to pounce.

But in a game that proved the Kings are not ready for prime time, the Grizzlies imposed their will in every facet of the game. Shooting. Rebounding. Defense.

Final score: Grizz 100, Kings 91, Enthusiastic Kings Fans 0

I put part of the blame of coach Paul Westphal.

Somebody tell me why the Kings weren't pushing the ball at every chance against a road-weary team. And somebody tell me why the team still has no offensive sets. There seems to be no offensive gameplan, besides telling Tyreke to try to make something happen.

Westphal's rotations are also puzzling. Omri Casspi was a difference maker in the first half, then was almost completely forgotten in the second half until the final minute.

By the way, DeMarcus Cousins did not look happy out there, no matter how much he proclaimed that he had no problems coming off the bench. His body language was bad.

Defense, well, that's another awful story. Name a single good man-on-man defender on the Kings? I mean, besides Samuel Dalembert.

The Kings had no answer for Rudy Gay. No answer for Zack Randolph. No answer to O.J. Mayo. Hell, they had no answer for Mike Conley.

So now a promising start has been squandered. The team stands at 3-3.

The energy at Arco was meager at best.

And we'll soon find out just how far the Kings are rising this season

A disheartening night at Arco

When Kings rookie center DeMarcus Cousins slammed into Lakers center Pau Gasol on the low block and hammered in a one-hand duck, it seemed like a flashback at Arco.

How many times did Shaquille O'Neal brutally crush Vlade Divac in the post? Time after time after time. Divac and the Kings would plea offensive foul, but the refs almost never saw it that way. They simply let O'Neal bruise at will.

So when Cousins did his best impersonation of Shaq in his prime, the Arco crowd responded with a burst of jubilation. That happiness lasted just seconds.

You see, these are still the Kings.

And those other guys are still the Lakers.

And in the dark cruel universe of professional basketball, there is no justice for Kings fans.

Only heartbreak. And whistles.

Like the one called on DeMarcus Cousins for an offensive foul on the above-stated play.

Now let's get this straight: The referees had nothing to do with the Kings' 112-110 loss to the Lakers on Wednesday night, but it was just another sign that the basketball gods are not ready to change the physical makeup of the NBA universe.

And, in the end, the night was greatly disheartening.

The talent level between the Laker and Kings is still staggering. Kobe Bryant basically toyed with Sacramento like a cat with a ball of yarn. The Lakers offense clicked in every phase. The Kings battled and managed to stay close, but I doubt anyone in the building thought the Kings had a chance.

Furthermore, in another embarrassment, Lakers fans in the stands outcheered Kings fans. It was sad. In 2002, an atmosphere like this couldn't be imagined. Walking the concourse, I saw dozens and dozens of fans in Kobe Bryant jerseys. And nobody gave them a second look.

Arco used to give the Kings the top home-court advantage in the league. Those days are long gone. They couldn't even manage to sell out Wednesday night. The announced attendance was slightly over 16,000, but I saw wide swaths of empty seats.

You could almost smell the desperation coming from Kings management. The huge screen above the arena hawked ticket deals at every timeout.

On a night that should have been a coming-out party, it ended up feeing like a New Year's hangover.

What's down is up

Go figure.

I sure didn't.

For the first half, the Kings were uninspiring and unwatchable. Zero energy. Outplayed in every phase of the game by the Raptors.

In the second half, they sold tickets.

Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi showed pure guts. Samuel Dalembert provided much-needed defense. DeMarcus Cousins woke up and pounded inside. The team fought and battled on both ends.

And they escaped with a win. And a little more momentum.

Of course, we have thank David Stern for doing the Kings a nice solid by scheduling four relative creampuffs to start the season.

Now here come the Lakers.

And the fun really starts.