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Has anyone heard any news the last couple of days on which coaching candidates the Kings are going to interview?

Any speculation on how long this process might take?

KB

Go Magic!

In the press conference, Geoff said they'd be interviewing Thbodeau and Rambis--both of whom would go against his original guidelines. This ultimately means that it will be a while, since we can't interview Rambis until the Lakers are eliminated--although I would like to hear something about Thibodeau soon. But anyway, waiting on Rambis just gives us another reason to root against the Lakers.

Weird though how this seemed to kind of come about after Jordan and Westphaul were intereviewed--almost as if they were determined to not be options, and so the team decided to look elsewhere. Of course I don't actually know this, it just seems like a possible implication, given the circumstances.

I have a feeling it wont be for 1 or 2 weeks before the draft. I think Petrie is going to really take his time with this one to make sure they get it right. I truly believe the coach we hire will be just as important as out draft pick.

No doubt. The Maloofs rushed into the 3 last ones and we have gotten the three little the coachies: one was too hard, one was too soft, and one was just clueless. The last one who was just right we fired. Coaches do make a difference and can get the most of what you have just as much as a Chris Paul does.

mitchweber wrote:In the press conference, Geoff said they'd be interviewing Thbodeau and Rambis--both of whom would go against his original guidelines. This ultimately means that it will be a while, since we can't interview Rambis until the Lakers are eliminated--although I would like to hear something about Thibodeau soon. But anyway, waiting on Rambis just gives us another reason to root against the Lakers.

Weird though how this seemed to kind of come about after Jordan and Westphaul were intereviewed--almost as if they were determined to not be options, and so the team decided to look elsewhere. Of course I don't actually know this, it just seems like a possible implication, given the circumstances.

I don't even want Rambis. We've passed that dude over 3 times in a row, why the hell would we hire him now? Seriously.

At this point my thoughts are this. Besides the Kings, only Philly needs a coach. Once Philly hires their guy the Kings are in a better bargaining position for the remaining head coaching candidates.

I still prefer Westphal or Jordan with perhaps JVG as a dark horse. I liked what GP said about hiring a guy with previous head coaching experience and I hope he sticks to his guns on that. Rambis and the defensive genius from beantown may make great head coaches, but this young Kings team needs a been there done that guy to lead them.

KB

King Baller wrote:At this point my thoughts are this. Besides the Kings, only Philly needs a coach. Once Philly hires their guy the Kings are in a better bargaining position for the remaining head coaching candidates.

I still prefer Westphal or Jordan with perhaps JVG as a dark horse. I liked what GP said about hiring a guy with previous head coaching experience and I hope he sticks to his guns on that. Rambis and the defensive genius from beantown may make great head coaches, but this young Kings team needs a been there done that guy to lead them.

KB

Isn't another way of saying this is that the Kings get their pick of the coaches nobody else wants? I'm not sure if that really is an enviable situation.

I don't think the Kings really know who they want, AND they are in a position of don't mess up. They are lucky it's only the Sixers needing a coach right now.

BMiller52 wrote:

mitchweber wrote:In the press conference, Geoff said they'd be interviewing Thbodeau and Rambis--both of whom would go against his original guidelines. This ultimately means that it will be a while, since we can't interview Rambis until the Lakers are eliminated--although I would like to hear something about Thibodeau soon. But anyway, waiting on Rambis just gives us another reason to root against the Lakers.

Weird though how this seemed to kind of come about after Jordan and Westphaul were intereviewed--almost as if they were determined to not be options, and so the team decided to look elsewhere. Of course I don't actually know this, it just seems like a possible implication, given the circumstances.

I don't even want Rambis. We've passed that dude over 3 times in a row, why the hell would we hire him now? Seriously.

Eric Musselman and Reggie Theus would be two reasons.

ICMTM wrote:I don't think the Kings really know who they want, AND they are in a position of don't mess up. They are lucky it's only the Sixers needing a coach right now.

Well they DID let a HOF coach go, because of 'personality conflicts' with the owners.

KingInExile wrote:

King Baller wrote:At this point my thoughts are this. Besides the Kings, only Philly needs a coach. Once Philly hires their guy the Kings are in a better bargaining position for the remaining head coaching candidates.

I still prefer Westphal or Jordan with perhaps JVG as a dark horse. I liked what GP said about hiring a guy with previous head coaching experience and I hope he sticks to his guns on that. Rambis and the defensive genius from beantown may make great head coaches, but this young Kings team needs a been there done that guy to lead them.

KB

Isn't another way of saying this is that the Kings get their pick of the coaches nobody else wants? I'm not sure if that really is an enviable situation.

That is certainly one way to spin it Seriously though, if you were Eddie Jordan, which team would you rather coach? Jordan is also an east coast guy. I think Philly will hire Jordan, which is where Jordan wanted to be anyway, so good for both parties.

That leaves the Kings as the only coaching vacancy left. They get to choose between Westphal, Rambis, The Celtics defensive genius (I can't spell Thibodeau:) and who else? After further thought I don't think Van Gundy is a player in this. I read where he likes to have A LOT of input on player selection and I don't think thats a good mix with Petrie. Besides his brother jilted the King's for the Magic (Not that I blame him ) Avery Johnson is available but I just don't see the Maloofs hiring him. AJ just does not have enough charisma. Doug Collins is out there, but has a reputation of being high maintenance. Does anyone have more info on exactly what this would be from? Rudy T. is out there, would he want the job? Terry Porter needs a gig, any chance he gets a look? How about Sam Mitchell? Lenny Wilkens? Bill Laimbeer?

I favor Westphal, who do you like?

KB

KB

ESPN says the Sixers hired Jordan.

Yup. I saw it too. First person to post a link wins a piece of candy. I guess that leaves Westphaul, Thibodeau and Rambis, from what we know so far.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

Gimme my damn candy!!!

King Baller wrote:I favor Westphal, who do you like?

KB

KB

I was intrigued by Westphal when his name first came up. Outside of him, I just have opinions about who I don't want (Avery and JVG are on that list).

KingInExile wrote:

King Baller wrote:I favor Westphal, who do you like?

KB

KB

I was intrigued by Westphal when his name first came up. Outside of him, I just have opinions about who I don't want (Avery and JVG are on that list).

Yeah, I think Westphal is definitely the frontrunner and likely choice at this point. However, I do see Thibodeau as a dark horse. I don't see Rambis getting the job though.

Smills91 wrote:

KingInExile wrote:

King Baller wrote:I favor Westphal, who do you like?

KB

KB

I was intrigued by Westphal when his name first came up. Outside of him, I just have opinions about who I don't want (Avery and JVG are on that list).

Yeah, I think Westphal is definitely the frontrunner and likely choice at this point. However, I do see Thibodeau as a dark horse. I don't see Rambis getting the job though.

How many interviews has Kurt Rambis had through the years? Poor guy, always the brides maid Maybe the Zen Master will retire after the Lakers win the Championship and Rambis can move over a chair. Does Kobe like Rambis? Kobe does pick the next Lakers coach, right?

Go Magic,
KB

Little bit shocking to see Philly go with Jordan, now I have no idea who the coach will be. I have a feeling it's going to be another stopgap and that the Kings aren't at all thrilled with this pool of candidates.

Westphal's 7 year NBA winning % was 627. He is no scrub. I think Petrie is keeping this under the radar. Add to it that Sac's mayor played for Westphal in Phoenix and the Maloofs want KJ to build them an arena in Sac. If you have any doubts about the Maloofs moving Westphal would ease any fears.

I bet it will be Westphal.

Paul Westphal is still in good standing, with a significant edge in almost every category the Kings have made relevant. There's his record (267-159), which stands alone when compared to his competitors for this post. There's his vibe with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, who had no prior relationship with Westphal but who seemed to gain a quick comfort level with him. And as we said would be the case all along, there's the financial factor.

Long before Eddie Jordan was signing with Philly for a three-year guaranteed deal worth $2 million, $3 million and $3.1 million, Westphal's camp was agreeing to handshake terms of a deal that fell more in line with what Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof preferred. According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, Westphal's price tag will be $1.5 million per season.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/022693.html