There's no way Paul Westphal can continue as coach after Tuesday night's devastating loss.
I feel bad for the guy. He is, by all accounts, a decent man. But enough is enough. He has aged 20 years over the past three months. He looks like the poster boy for irritable bowel syndrome.
It's time to put him out of our misery.
Look, it's not Westphal's fault that his two studs - Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins - combined for a pathetic 7-for-31 for 22 points in Tuesday's horrifying OT loss to the Warriors.
But Evans and Cousins have become the Kings of the Forced Shot.
And that falls right on the shoulders of the coach.
It's his job to drum it in their ears.
Pass the ball. Make the offense move. Execute. And don't think you have to be the hero every game, especially when you are shooting like crap.
Westphal needs to be in their faces and making it clear. Maybe he is, but if so, the message isn't being absorbed.
Now all eyes turn to the Maloof brothers. How much humiliation are they willing to take? How many fans are they willing to lose?
Step up and make some moves.
The future of the team may be riding on it.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Another meltdown. Ho-hum
Somebody coach DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans about what to do with the ball in the final five minutes of the game.
Please.
Oh, that's right. We would need a coach to do that.
By the way, I'm sure nobody's counting but since starting the season 3-1, the Kings have rolled to a 2-19 record.
And here's one last fun fact.
The Kings are averaging 13,457 fans for their home games this year. Only the Nets, who are averaging 13,387, are doing worse.
You can bet the Maloofs are entertaining some might fine offers from other cities right this moment.
Please.
Oh, that's right. We would need a coach to do that.
By the way, I'm sure nobody's counting but since starting the season 3-1, the Kings have rolled to a 2-19 record.
And here's one last fun fact.
The Kings are averaging 13,457 fans for their home games this year. Only the Nets, who are averaging 13,387, are doing worse.
You can bet the Maloofs are entertaining some might fine offers from other cities right this moment.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Geoff Petrie deserves a lot of the blame for the awful mess of a team
Okay, fans, this is the easiest quiz you'll have to take.
Which person in the Kings organization seems to go year-to-year and never absorb a hint of criticism, yet he hasn't presided over a winning team since 2005-06?
Which person has chosen loser coaches with the names Musselman, Theus and Westphal?
Which person has gained the rep as a draft genius but, during 2005-2007 when the Kings desperately needed to keep the momentum of the fading glory days alive, drafted the likes of Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby and Spencer Hawes?
Which person hasn't made a team-changing trade since acquiring Brad Miller a decade ago?
What person has repeatedly given mid-level exceptions to hugely overrated stiffs like Mikki Moore? Yes, Mikki Moore.
Which person has been given a free pass from the fans for his cerebral approach, gentlemanly demeanor and subdued personality?
Which person has continually built teams with gaping holes and easy-to-spot weaknesses? Rebounding. Defense. Athleticism. The Kings haven't had any of those attributes in years and they still don't.
You know the guy, Kings fans.
And it's time he took the brunt of the blame for this gory mess of team.
Geoff Petrie, step right up and take a bow.
Because you've been awful.
That's right. Awful.
Look, there's no doubt the guy has financial constraints, but that's too easy an excuse for his dreary collection of innocuous moves over the past six seasons.
Petrie no longer collects winning pieces for a franchise anymore.
He simply collects a paycheck.
And that's not good enough.
Not for the Kings.
And not for the fans.
Which person in the Kings organization seems to go year-to-year and never absorb a hint of criticism, yet he hasn't presided over a winning team since 2005-06?
Which person has chosen loser coaches with the names Musselman, Theus and Westphal?
Which person has gained the rep as a draft genius but, during 2005-2007 when the Kings desperately needed to keep the momentum of the fading glory days alive, drafted the likes of Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby and Spencer Hawes?
Which person hasn't made a team-changing trade since acquiring Brad Miller a decade ago?
What person has repeatedly given mid-level exceptions to hugely overrated stiffs like Mikki Moore? Yes, Mikki Moore.
Which person has been given a free pass from the fans for his cerebral approach, gentlemanly demeanor and subdued personality?
Which person has continually built teams with gaping holes and easy-to-spot weaknesses? Rebounding. Defense. Athleticism. The Kings haven't had any of those attributes in years and they still don't.
You know the guy, Kings fans.
And it's time he took the brunt of the blame for this gory mess of team.
Geoff Petrie, step right up and take a bow.
Because you've been awful.
That's right. Awful.
Look, there's no doubt the guy has financial constraints, but that's too easy an excuse for his dreary collection of innocuous moves over the past six seasons.
Petrie no longer collects winning pieces for a franchise anymore.
He simply collects a paycheck.
And that's not good enough.
Not for the Kings.
And not for the fans.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Westphal is in the dark and that's all you need to know
During Paul Westphal's press conference after Tuesday night's loss to the Rockets, a reporter asked him about the newly acquired shooting guard Jermaine Taylor.
Westphal shot the reporter a dirty look and asked, "Why are you asking me that question?"
When the reporter explained, Westphal said, "I've just been coaching the game, I don't about any trades."
Really? Really?
Geoff Petrie can't even bother to pick up a phone and tell his coach about a new player coming aboard? No brief consultation? How about slipping him a note at halftime?
The exchange made Westphal look like an out-of-the-loop rube.
Was this an honest oversight? Or was it an ominous sign that Petrie just has no regard for Westphal and the way he's coaching and doesn't care to include his coach in personnel decisions.
When I asked Kings beat writer Jason Jones about it in a tweet, he tweeted back that Westphal just couldn't say anything yet because the trade wasn't official.
If that was true, that's what he should have said, But it sure didn't look like that on camera.
Stay tuned.
It's gonna get really interesting.
Westphal shot the reporter a dirty look and asked, "Why are you asking me that question?"
When the reporter explained, Westphal said, "I've just been coaching the game, I don't about any trades."
Really? Really?
Geoff Petrie can't even bother to pick up a phone and tell his coach about a new player coming aboard? No brief consultation? How about slipping him a note at halftime?
The exchange made Westphal look like an out-of-the-loop rube.
Was this an honest oversight? Or was it an ominous sign that Petrie just has no regard for Westphal and the way he's coaching and doesn't care to include his coach in personnel decisions.
When I asked Kings beat writer Jason Jones about it in a tweet, he tweeted back that Westphal just couldn't say anything yet because the trade wasn't official.
If that was true, that's what he should have said, But it sure didn't look like that on camera.
Stay tuned.
It's gonna get really interesting.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tyreke Evans injury report: Day-to-day chance that nobody knows what the hell is going on
Latest Kings injury report:
Tyreke Evans, plantar fasciitis, day-to-day: Unless, of course, his brother Doc decides to hold him out, or, on the other hand, if Paul Westphal asks politely for him to sit out and gets an answer in the affirmative.
In a super-secret email circulating through the bowels of the team's super-secret war room and high-tea recreation room, team officials are allegedly baffled.
A Kings doctor was allegedly quoted as saying, "Hey, I only went to medical school, do you expect me to make a sound decision based on my education and prior knowledge? Tyreke's brother is named Doc. I trust him."
Owner Gavin Maloof allegedly said he doesn't understand all the hubbub over this fasciitis stuff. "We intend to rip of 10 or 20 straight wins and we need Tyreke on the court to make it happen. He can sit when we clinch a playoff berth."
General manager Geoff Petrie says the injury is minor. "It's not the pain," Petrie allegedly said. "He just plain sucks this year."
Tyreke Evans, plantar fasciitis, day-to-day: Unless, of course, his brother Doc decides to hold him out, or, on the other hand, if Paul Westphal asks politely for him to sit out and gets an answer in the affirmative.
In a super-secret email circulating through the bowels of the team's super-secret war room and high-tea recreation room, team officials are allegedly baffled.
A Kings doctor was allegedly quoted as saying, "Hey, I only went to medical school, do you expect me to make a sound decision based on my education and prior knowledge? Tyreke's brother is named Doc. I trust him."
Owner Gavin Maloof allegedly said he doesn't understand all the hubbub over this fasciitis stuff. "We intend to rip of 10 or 20 straight wins and we need Tyreke on the court to make it happen. He can sit when we clinch a playoff berth."
General manager Geoff Petrie says the injury is minor. "It's not the pain," Petrie allegedly said. "He just plain sucks this year."
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A stench rises in Arco
There was a smell wafting through Arco Arena on Saturday night.
And I'm not talking about the exotic smell of spiced meat coming from Royal Shawarma on the concourse.
No, I'm talking about the smell of fear.
And the Miami Heat could sense it, laughing their way to an easy victory.
The Kings simply backed down.
Once LeBron James and Dwyane Wade took over, there was no fight. No hard fouls. Nothing but the smell of fear.
Only Omri Casspi played with heart. The rest of team put their collective tails between their legs and shuffled off into the foggy night with another disheartening loss.
They say a team reflects the personality of its coach. You wonder if Paul Westphal is a sulking, low-energy loser. Because that's what the Kings have become.
Fear wasn't the only smell.
More and more, DeMarcus Cousins carries the odor of a selfish, immature tool. When he was in the game, he fired up ill-advised shots and slump-shouldered his way through every possession. When he got benched, he could barely bring himself to his feet to join the huddle.
Cousins may have tremendous potential, but he's more ticking time bomb than future all-star at this point.
Look, beating a team like the Heat is a tall order, but it's not losing, it's the way you lose.
And unless something is done fast, fans are going to need to bring deodorizers to future games.
And now, just for fun, here are highlights from Saturday's game:
And I'm not talking about the exotic smell of spiced meat coming from Royal Shawarma on the concourse.
No, I'm talking about the smell of fear.
And the Miami Heat could sense it, laughing their way to an easy victory.
The Kings simply backed down.
Once LeBron James and Dwyane Wade took over, there was no fight. No hard fouls. Nothing but the smell of fear.
Only Omri Casspi played with heart. The rest of team put their collective tails between their legs and shuffled off into the foggy night with another disheartening loss.
They say a team reflects the personality of its coach. You wonder if Paul Westphal is a sulking, low-energy loser. Because that's what the Kings have become.
Fear wasn't the only smell.
More and more, DeMarcus Cousins carries the odor of a selfish, immature tool. When he was in the game, he fired up ill-advised shots and slump-shouldered his way through every possession. When he got benched, he could barely bring himself to his feet to join the huddle.
Cousins may have tremendous potential, but he's more ticking time bomb than future all-star at this point.
Look, beating a team like the Heat is a tall order, but it's not losing, it's the way you lose.
And unless something is done fast, fans are going to need to bring deodorizers to future games.
And now, just for fun, here are highlights from Saturday's game:
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Kings have a pulse
The Kings lost a two-point heartbreaker to the Mavericks, but we liked:
Pooh Jeter, who gave us a glimpse of how the ball might move if we had a real, honest-to-goodness, point guard.
DeMarcus Cousins, who was one or two baskets down the stretch from getting back into the talk about the NBA's top rookies.
Paul Westphal, who finally seemed to know what he was doing for most of game.
The fourth quarter, because it was the first one in four weeks worth watching.
Pooh Jeter, who gave us a glimpse of how the ball might move if we had a real, honest-to-goodness, point guard.
DeMarcus Cousins, who was one or two baskets down the stretch from getting back into the talk about the NBA's top rookies.
Paul Westphal, who finally seemed to know what he was doing for most of game.
The fourth quarter, because it was the first one in four weeks worth watching.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Grant Napear sucks up to the Maloofs again -- and it ain't pretty
KHTK broadcaster Grant Napear spent Wednesday's radio show blowing unicorn dust up the asses of Joe and Gavin Maloof.
Nothing new there, but this was truly pathetic.
Challenged by frustrated fans about the team's cost-cutting and inability to secure high-priced talent, Napear could have finally broken free from the company line and ripped the team's ownership.
Instead, he told his listeners that they should be patient because the Maloofs are waiting to see the new collective bargaining agreement before they begin to spend money.
This is a crock.
Look, if the Maloofs want to nickel and dime and put an inferior product on the floor, it's their business. But don't expect the fans to be patient.
And don't expect them to buy tickets, no matter how many promotional deals they might offer.
Right now, there is no way I expect this team to be here next year.
A deal for a new arena is stone-cold dead. Arco is a morgue. The coach is lost. And the team lacks talent, energy and any charisma.
Why would any business owner keep the team in town?
But Mr. Napear is fine with this. Deal with it, he tells fans. Wait to make your decision until after the new CBA is signed.
One caller asked Grant to name a team that has pinched pennies more than the Kings. Lots of them, he intoned. And then named the Utah Jazz.
Oh yeah, the Jazz. The team with the 7th highest payroll in the league. The team that had no problem trading for Al Jefferson, a player who is owed $13 million, $14 million and $15 million over the next three seasons.
Sounds like a perfect analogy to me.
Look, if the Maloofs want to fill seats and generate enthusiasm for a new arena, they have to SPEND MONEY NOW. That's the only way you sell product. Not by cheesy seat deals. Sure, spending money now hurts the bottom line, but it builds good will, gets fans back in the seats, and turns around the momentum.
Unless, of course, you are not interested in any of those things.
Which looks very much the case right now.
Mr. Napear needs to stop bowing to the Maloofs. He needs to stop bailing the buckets of water out of their sinking ship and start laying down the truth.
I'm not holding my breath.
Nothing new there, but this was truly pathetic.
Challenged by frustrated fans about the team's cost-cutting and inability to secure high-priced talent, Napear could have finally broken free from the company line and ripped the team's ownership.
Instead, he told his listeners that they should be patient because the Maloofs are waiting to see the new collective bargaining agreement before they begin to spend money.
This is a crock.
Look, if the Maloofs want to nickel and dime and put an inferior product on the floor, it's their business. But don't expect the fans to be patient.
And don't expect them to buy tickets, no matter how many promotional deals they might offer.
Right now, there is no way I expect this team to be here next year.
A deal for a new arena is stone-cold dead. Arco is a morgue. The coach is lost. And the team lacks talent, energy and any charisma.
Why would any business owner keep the team in town?
But Mr. Napear is fine with this. Deal with it, he tells fans. Wait to make your decision until after the new CBA is signed.
One caller asked Grant to name a team that has pinched pennies more than the Kings. Lots of them, he intoned. And then named the Utah Jazz.
Oh yeah, the Jazz. The team with the 7th highest payroll in the league. The team that had no problem trading for Al Jefferson, a player who is owed $13 million, $14 million and $15 million over the next three seasons.
Sounds like a perfect analogy to me.
Look, if the Maloofs want to fill seats and generate enthusiasm for a new arena, they have to SPEND MONEY NOW. That's the only way you sell product. Not by cheesy seat deals. Sure, spending money now hurts the bottom line, but it builds good will, gets fans back in the seats, and turns around the momentum.
Unless, of course, you are not interested in any of those things.
Which looks very much the case right now.
Mr. Napear needs to stop bowing to the Maloofs. He needs to stop bailing the buckets of water out of their sinking ship and start laying down the truth.
I'm not holding my breath.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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.
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.
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