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Monte McNair Is Owning It

Accountability may have finally arrived to Sacramento.
By | 106 Comments | May 21, 2021

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Monte McNair’s first season as Sacramento Kings General Manager and head of basketball operations is in the books, and it was another disappointing year for a franchise and fan base that has been subconsciously trained to expect the worst and often gets exactly that.

Full disclosure, I was a fan of the McNair hire. I thought the Kings finally went through the proper process when making a decision of this importance. Vivek Ranadive didn’t hire his friend, a former King, or a random retired basketball star that sat courtside with him last. That’s progress in my book.

This was a real general manager search that utilized an outside firm to source quality candidates. It was a lengthy process, and while I knew little of McNair before his name starting popping up in the rumor mill, it was the process that made me a fan of the hire. McNair came with a ton of experience in one of the better-run organizations in basketball with the Rockets. He was qualified, he interviewed on multiple occasions, and he beat out several other solid candidates.

Cool. The Kings finally hired a legitimate basketball executive.

McNair’s first string of maneuvers were a mixed bag. He hit a home run on what was ultimately his most important decision thus far: drafting Rookie of the Year finalist Tyrese Haliburton with the 12th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He hasn’t quite found that level of success again since.

He infamously lost Bogdan Bogdanovic, despite all the weirdness surrounding contract and trade negotiations with the Bucks and Hawks, for nothing. I thought it was a mistake at the time, and Bogi has only made that decision look worse with his strong play. We can argue over the details €“ was it Milwaukee’s fault? Was there some sort of friction and disagreement in direction between McNair, Joe Dumars, and ownership at the time? €“ but here are the facts: the Kings had the most leverage and lost Bogdanovic for nothing. The Bucks landed Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis while retaining Donte DiVincenzo. They made out just fine. The Hawks landed Bogdan Bogdanovic on a very fair contract. They made out fine. The only team that lost here was the Kings.

The 2020-21 season was pretty bumpy for McNair, too. It often felt like the Kings didn’t know which direction they wanted to go in. After every 9 game losing streak it seemed as though the tank was on, the vets were out, and Walton was on the brink of losing his job.

But after every up and down, the narrative changed. A few wins later and it appeared like the Kings were really going to push for the play-in tournament, but they didn’t make enough significant moves at the trade deadline to ensure that said push would be successful. By the end of the season, you couldn’t say they really accomplished anything. The core of the roster was largely unchanged, and they finished with enough meaningless victories to negatively impact draft position and lottery odds.

The Kings finished with the exact same 31-41 record they ended last season with, and as reported earlier this week, rewarded Luke Walton with another season as head coach despite a lack of success on the court.

If you couldn’t tell by the tone of this article, I soured on McNair as the season went on, and my disappointment peaked after the Walton news. I was frustrated by the lack of direction. I was frustrated that the Kings were seemingly stuck in the mud with no discernible plan out. The worst place you can be at the end of an NBA season is just outside of the play-in tournament looking in, and that’s exactly where the Kings finished. I was frustrated that McNair chose to run it back with the same coach when we’ve seen what a new voice can do to a failing franchise in Atlanta, New York, and Phoenix.

But despite my frustrations, I feel better about Monte McNair and the Kings today than I did just a couple of days ago. This is going to take a minute, but I’ll explain:

I’ve consumed every Monte McNair press conference since his hiring, and honestly felt like all of them up until a few days ago have been a waste of time. He made Geoff Petrie sound like Vlade Divac. McNair never set any defined expectations or goals. He used the same tired old phrases like ‘winning culture’ that we’ve heard a million times in Sacramento before.

For this already-irritated fan base, I didn’t think McNair’s say-nothing approach was going to work. If your team is successful, sure, say nothing. If you win, I don’t care if you ever speak to the media. Bill Belichick can do that. A 15-year playoff drought cannot. A historically bad defense cannot. If you run it back with a questionable head coach after a season like the one we just witnessed, you’ve got some explaining to do.

Kings fans are desperate for accountability. For years Vivek and whichever dude was running basketball ops at the time would preach how great everything is. We were told the Kings were a Super Team, Just Young. We were told everything was going according to plan when it was so clearly not. We were told this player was doing great things, and that player was awesome, and the culture was great, and all of that tired nonsense. It was basketball cliche after basketball cliche after basketball cliche while the losses pile up.

McNair was running that same play for a year, but something changed.

If you haven’t watched Monte McNair’s end-of-season press conference or his subsequent interview with KHTK’s Carmichael Dave, I highly recommend them both. He sounded like a different general manager than we’ve heard in Sacramento for a long, long time. He talked about his failures, the Kings’ failures, and what they needed to do to get better. He didn’t shy away from criticism, and told Kings fans that they should hold him and the organization accountable.

“I’m not asking for the fans to believe in me blindly. We haven’t accomplished anything yet. Why should they?

All I see is a fan base that is going to hold us accountable, and ultimately we are going to be judged by the results. I say bring it on…” – Monte McNair, via Carmichael Dave

McNair owned it all. He owned the decision to keep Luke Walton. He made it clear that he has all the finances and freedom to build the coaching staff he wants, and the roster he wants. It was refreshing, and this lowly Kings blogger appreciated someone in this organization finally saying this is on me, and actually believing them this time.

I still don’t understand the decision to retain Luke Walton, but I’ll tell you this €“ I feel much better about it knowing that Walton’s success or failure will also be Monte McNair’s success or failure. There will be no ‘Monte McNair never got to hire his guy’ narrative in our future. I won’t allow it. McNair has said repeatedly that Walton is here for basketball reasons and that it was his call. Luke Walton is Monte McNair’s guy. He will be held accountable for how this plays out, and maybe I’m easy to please, but that knowledge is enough for me. For now.

The Kings have lost a shit ton of games over the last 15 years, but I’ve found the lack of accountability in the organization equally frustrating. We shouldn’t need an evidence board to figure out who hired which coach, who drafted which players, and which minority owner is feeding their narrative to which member of the local media. It’s ridiculous. It’s not how you run a successful organization.

I’m not naïve here. I know there is always the possibility that McNair doesn’t have control, or that Vivek is meddling, or that Joe Dumars has now upgraded to seven phones and is calling all the shots, but reality almost doesn’t matter when McNair comes out with strong statements like he did this week.

McNair’s words are how the Kings will be held accountable moving forward. When you say nothing, it’s cheap cover because if you don’t tell us the plan, we don’t know when you’ve failed. McNair laid out the plan. McNair said Luke Walton will lead the Kings to the playoffs. McNair told fans to hold him accountable. I suspect they will.

He is owning the failures, the successes, the hires, the fires, the trades, the draft €“ all of it. He may or may not succeed, but it’s nice to hear someone come out and say that what has been happening here is actually not OK, and that this season was a disappointment. McNair and Walton may fail. In fact, we’re talking about the Kings here, so they probably will fail, but I can take some satisfaction in knowing who to blame this time if they do.

 

 

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RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 1:33 pm

I’d like to share your optimism, but words are wind.

Accountable towards whom?
The fans? It’s not that we have much say in things. And rightfully so.

The media? I have low expectations from the local media, and they will likely be the messengers of all the excuses for next season’s failure and explain why Monte needs more time.

The players? I hope not. When our franchise player’s gripe with two 9 game losing streaks was that we did not go for 2-7 you can lower your expectations.

The owner then? Yup. The accountability of Monte is solely towards Monte. Not something that makes me feel better. YMMV.

Last edited 2 years ago by RikSmits
SelecaoKOJ
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May 21, 2021 5:42 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Word. I am tired of old diatribes that have cursed this team for 15 years. Sure he sounds great. I am more inclined to think the Kings are going straight to the modicum of every other season.

Free agency rumors, possibly make a run at incredibly overrated Myles Turner, try to unload bloated contracts no team is dumb enough to inherit, and talk about draft lottery odds for months.

Ultimately, run it back with 80-85 percent of this current roster. With the new additions being Justice Winslow and Kendrick Nunn. Lol!

Last edited 2 years ago by SelecaoKOJ
BestHyperboleEver
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May 21, 2021 1:40 pm

Personally, I like his approach to the media. I think, in general, the say nothing approach is the smart way to go. And I think when he does talk he generally says the right things. Now, I also know it’s all PR, spin, and BS. None of it really means anything. But I like a GM smart enough to know how and when to say what to the press and public.

Kingsguru21
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May 21, 2021 4:14 pm

100% with you BHE. If nothing else it’s a significant improvement over his predecessors, and while a low bar no question, he at least clears that bar.

His success here will be largely based on whether he can acquire a star.

Same as it ever was. And, a good piece Tony.

Last edited 2 years ago by Kingsguru21
2018DraftTimeMachine
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May 21, 2021 10:47 pm

€œWe had a better offer two days ago€ = opposite of this

ScottyPop
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May 21, 2021 1:42 pm

I wish I agreed.

Still just think he’s giving us the lip service to appease his boss.

We’ll see how the next 12 months go. If it’s similar to the past 12 I’ll be ready to move on regardless of whether these were or were not actually his decisions.

Last edited 2 years ago by ScottyPop
Greg
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May 21, 2021 1:49 pm
Reply to  ScottyPop

The thing is, if the next 12 months are the same as the last 12, I won’t be shocked if Vivek gets impatient and moves on from McNair and Walton.

RAP87
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May 21, 2021 1:53 pm
Reply to  Greg

I wish Vivek would move on from the Kings and step down as Chairman.

02kingsfan
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May 22, 2021 12:02 am
Reply to  RAP87

I just wish Vivek can move on from being Vivek leave the Sacramento fans alone

BabalooMagoo
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May 22, 2021 12:30 pm
Reply to  RAP87

I wish Vivek would “own” his catastrophic tenure.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 3:09 pm
Reply to  Greg

Does McNair even make what Luke does?

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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May 21, 2021 4:06 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

Doubtful. GM’s generally don’t make what coaches do.

Kingsguru21
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May 21, 2021 4:15 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

They don’t deal with the media the way coaches do either. Or travel, for that matter.

Amonk81
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May 21, 2021 7:12 pm
Reply to  ScottyPop

Agree with this. Nothing McNair has said leads me to believe that he has power. Nothing he’s done has shown that either. He didn’t make trades despite hinting toward breaking down team and rebuild. He didn’t fire Walton despite not hiring him and the horrific record. Sounds like lip service.

Do these guys know what they are doing and all will be good? Odds are stacked against it.

Oh, and fuck Vivek. Until he backs off or leaves its trouble.

RAP87
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May 21, 2021 1:52 pm

It’ll be an interesting couple of months or so with the draft lottery and FA. We’ll see how Monte and the FO will do especially in FA. Holmes is now putting it out there that he expects a 4 yr/ $80 million contract.

BestHyperboleEver
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May 21, 2021 1:53 pm
Reply to  RAP87

As usual, I’m torn. I want Richaun to get the contract he wants. I also want him to play for the Kings. I don’t want the Kings to pay Richaun the contract he wants.

RAP87
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May 21, 2021 2:02 pm

I’m with you. Personally I want Richaun to get paid with that amount of money. Just not with the Kings. I’m not quite sure if a team would actually offer that kind of money to Holmes. Last I checked, Dallas is having some interest but would go after Collins first before Holmes. Ultimately, I think Richaun would settle around 4 year/ $60- 70 Million but it won’t be with the Kings.

Carl
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May 21, 2021 7:41 pm
Reply to  RAP87

Accountability step 1 is whether the front office was capable of understanding Holmes market price and subsequently ended up losing him for nothing.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 3:01 pm

Buddy/Bags 4 Porzingis

AnybodyButBagley
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May 21, 2021 7:33 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

If that does not work Bagley for a parking pass…..

Kingsguru21
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May 21, 2021 4:20 pm

This.

rockbottom
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May 21, 2021 2:20 pm

Hope your optimism plays out but this summer will determine if the team can move up from Near league Bottom ! Roster not good enough and lottery draft pick not likely to improve team record ! ( none did ) ! So it’s about trades and coaching improvement ( I know ) . One can dream !

NotMe
May 21, 2021 2:23 pm

That seems to me like a reasonable take, Mr. X.

But I wonder if Monte realizes the legacy curse he’s fighting.

We know about the 15-year non-playoff streak. But it’s been 70 years since this franchise was in the nba finals. In April 1951 the Rochester Royals beat the Knicks 3 games to 2 to claim the title. Not a single appearance since.

Until 1969 the number of teams in each conference varied from 4 to 6. It then gradually increased to 15 by 2004. So not being in the finals during any of those 70 years is mind boggling.

jlandweh
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May 21, 2021 2:29 pm

I have seen a lot of coaches and front office executives be “accountable and own it” while still managing dumpster fires, losing games, and getting fired. At this point, it’s about results and change. I’ve lost games, owned it, and learned from it…but I still lost those games and have been fired.

It’s easy to say all the right things. You have a tremendous amount of coaches and front office execs that say the right things. That is how they nail their interviews, instill confidence, and get hired. It is a lot harder to actually make large scale changes and create results. Until that happens, McNair and Walton will continue to be on the Hot Seat.

I do like some of the moves that McNair has made…ie Haliburton, Wright, Davis, and some of the young bigs. Until this team makes the playoffs, Vivek is proven to not be meddling, and major changes occur…he will still be on the Hot Seat.

Marty
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May 21, 2021 9:38 pm
Reply to  jlandweh

Wins not Words.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 2:54 pm

Vlade was fully accountable for his failures and resigned for them with $ left on his contract just as he said he would. He also claimed full financially freedom and control. I don’t get it.
Btw McNair never got to hire “his guy.”

RAP87
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May 21, 2021 3:02 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

It was rumored Chris Finch was Monte’s “guy” but got hired by the Wolves mid-season. My guess is Mcnair doesn’t have someone other than Finch that he sees as his potential fit with the club and FO which is too bad considering that there are still a lot of good assistants that could be a good coach. My personal bet was Wes Unseld Jr from the Nuggets which is ironic since he is serving as an assistant under Mike Malone. Not sure if Malone would be giving Wes a ringing endorsement in taking the Kings job if given the opportunity.

Anyhow this is what Monte has decided that keeping Luke is the next best option for the club. I surely doubt it but I hope I’m wrong.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 3:06 pm
Reply to  RAP87

Vivek offered him a built-in excuse for next season. Why would he say “no” to another “gap year” to use more time building his roster?

RAP87
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May 21, 2021 3:24 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

Usually going into the final year of the coach’s contract determines if they would be fired or gets extended since no coach would want to go into their final year without an extension because it would mean they are a sitting duck. If that is the case we could see the real fate of Walton after next season if he continues to be the HC or not. Question is will Mcnair be able to stay as GM and hire his own coach after next season or will he join Walton in the unemployed list.

rockbottom
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May 21, 2021 7:48 pm
Reply to  RAP87

Rick Adelman €˜s son David has been on Malone’s staff for several years ! Just a thought !

andy_sims
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May 24, 2021 8:51 am
Reply to  rockbottom

Because hiring the son of a successful individual has always been the smart move in Sacramento.

RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 8:01 pm
Reply to  RAP87

If Monte just wanted his buddy Finch and would hire him without DD and interviewing others, how would that make him different from Vlade hiring his buddy Luke?

RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 7:59 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

Vlade was forced to resign when Vivek pushed for Dumars to get a role next to Vlade. They framed it as Vlade resigning, but that was just optics.

I am quite sure that Vlade is still getting paid by this org.

Let’s not rewrite history and act as if Vlade took one for the team.

Dr.209
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May 21, 2021 2:55 pm

Spin all you want but accountability comes down to keeping Luke Walton. Educated Kings fans don’t think Luke is a good coach. He’s proven nothing other than some post championship fill in success in Oakland. Worst defense in the league? Odd rotations? Zero post game emotion? A sexual assault case to boot? Where’s the accountability for that.

Tired of the spin. Let Luke publicly address his futility if our organization is suddenly so accountable.

AmateurNerd
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May 23, 2021 7:24 pm
Reply to  Dr.209

By keeping Walton and acquiring Terrence Davis, the Kings have made perfectly clear they don’t think sexual assault and other forms of violence against women are a big deal.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 2:58 pm

Luke will be fired 10 games in next season. McNair will not be held accountable. Nor should he be, after covering for his bosses decision to not pony-up for a successful coach.

Henry
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May 21, 2021 3:02 pm

Full disclosure: I wanted Buddy, Barnes and Bagley traded at the deadline and also want Walton fired.

That said, here’s where I am with McNair: most of the criticism that can be levied against him are for actions he hasn’t taken (not matching on Bogi, not firing Walton, not trading Buddy, etc.) When it comes to the moves that he has actively made (draft, trade deadline deals). I’m pretty happy with them and I feel they show promise for future moves.

While I realize that’s splitting hairs a bit, since not making said moves are nevertheless still part of the active decision-making process, it speaks to a deliberativeness that hopefully translates to outright shrewdness over the long-term. In other words, it seems to me that he’s not making moves just for the sake of movement. And when he does make a move, it’s a value move, which is something that’s been sorely lacking with this franchise over the last decade or so.

So at this point, despite being dumbfounded at keeping Walton, I’m willing to see what happens over the offseason before reacting too strongly either way.

Last edited 2 years ago by Henry
Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 3:36 pm
Reply to  Henry

Agreed

Carl
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May 21, 2021 7:44 pm
Reply to  Henry

I would agree with McNair both that he’s accomplished next to nothing and that he should be held accountable. This offseason should be huge in improving the team. If he does little or nothing, it’s going to look a lot like a guy who is too passive to actually improve a bad team.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
itsjabby
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May 22, 2021 10:15 am
Reply to  Henry

Good Points

AmateurNerd
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May 23, 2021 7:31 pm
Reply to  Henry

McNair has shown himself to be extremely disciplined (perhaps too much so)– he has yet to make any move, large or small, that could be considered a “poor value” move at the time it was made. He clearly has his system of scoring basketball talent, and if a proposed/hypothetical deal does not result in a +1 or more for the Kings, he’s not doing it, regardless of what the media, fans, or anyone else thinks “should” be done. I’ll give him this much: he is definitely playing the long game. This is not the approach somebody looking for quick, crowd-pleasing results would take. Time will tell if it works. I wish Walton had been fired 24 hours after he was hired (the second the assault “allegations” came out), but it’s not my call, which is unfortunate, because I personally believe I would be awesome at GM-ing. Here’s hoping McNair turns out to be as good a GM as I definitely am.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 3:17 pm

Does winning or losing effect the bottom line for this franchise? If so, how? As long as they aren’t allowed to sell-out the arena, does Vivek even care? Does it make that big of a difference in their receipts even in a normal year? It’s just a hobby to him. It wouldn’t be any fun to win if he wasn’t responsible for the decisions. We care about this franchises future in Sacramento a lot more than he does.

rockbottom
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May 21, 2021 7:56 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

As Amick reported the minority owners had to cough up 100 million to pay the bills ! Nothing good with no events at G1 and debt service still there as well as the Sawyer Hotel bleeding money ! Truly need fans and sponsors as TV money not enough !

ForKingsandCountry
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May 21, 2021 3:18 pm

At this point I have a simple threshold: win. If they don’t win none of what he says matters. Not one thing. Vlade loved to pretend to be accountable except he wasn’t. I guess acknowledging that we suck is a step in the right direction but even then, it doesn’t matter unless we actually win basketball games. I just don’t have anymore energy than that for this franchise.

Hamlet1989
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May 21, 2021 3:33 pm

“3 words Data Dependent Decisions”

Kingsguru21
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May 21, 2021 4:26 pm

Felt like this during the Vlade era, for sure. I’m more interested to see what happens now, but not a whole lot more. It’s not like I’m being paid to write comments here.

I do feel like there are some things to be optimistic about though.

ForKingsandCountry
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May 21, 2021 11:08 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I am clinging to the Haliburton selection as some evidence that Monte does have some idea what he’s doing. It’s not a high bar but as I mentioned at the time, simply doing most logical thing (like picking the guy who is sliding for no reason) is actually better after the Luka debacle. And I get that Monte has to say something, but I really thought they were going to at least pick a direction this year and it just doesn’t seem to me like they did. As always, if presented with new evidence I will shift my opinion but if it doesn’t lead to an improved record it’s a waste of time.

kings4ever
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May 21, 2021 3:35 pm

Tony – Vlade spoke a good game too. He talked about returning to the heyday or getting to the next level and claimed he knew how to get it done. It is all just platitudes, it is bravado, its trying to assauge a restless base. It is buying yourself time while hoping your plan comes together.

And the year Bogi had with ATL was unprecedented based on his previous 3 years with SAC. He had never shot over 40% from 3 and never better than 56% TS%. And he had been oft injured. That depressed his value to us, along with wanting to create opportunity for Ty.

Bogi was injured again but when he played he set career best with 43% from 3s and 62% TS, career highs. Are you blaming the GM for not anticipating he would set these career high marks; are you saying you expected this jump or this jump was possible in SAC, and was the GM wrong for wanting to open up minutes for Ty instead of burying him behind Buddy and Bogi?

The other consideration with Bogi is if we committed to 4/72, matching the ATL offer, a huge part of our cap is with guards and a wing – Fox, Buddy, Bogi, HB – around 90M – and so there is NO money to resign Holmes. Is it smart to spend 80-90% of your hard cap on guards and one wing and have zero money to sign your starting center, pending UFA and a quasi star? Thats a rhetorical question.

I think McGenius was right to let Bogi walk, and his success is not regrettable, I am happy to see him come into his own as a player, and maybe moving on to a new team helped facilitate that.

The impression I came away with from the press conference is (1) McGenius does not like to talk to the media and (2) has genuine confidence in his ability to get the job done, and that is bolstered by steps already taken. He doesn’t have to pretend to be genuinely confident, he has reason to be.

I said it before I will say it again, the previous GM turned something into nothing, for example the #10 pick (three picks ahead of Donovan) into Giles and Justin Jackson, two lightweights, while this GM turned nothing into something, for Joseph into a damn good back up PG who can spot start and finish games.

How can any fair analysis of his performance not take not of the EXCESS value derived from the weakness of the starting strategic position:

(1) The #12 pick in the draft into leading ROY candidate
(2) Metu acquired for nothing
(3) Davis acquired for nothing
(4) Jones acquired for nothing
(5) Wright acquire for nothing

That is FIVE, count em, five rotational players to complement our Superstar and second tier stars (HB and Holmes), and two guys with legitimate chance at stardom (Davis, Ty) when the previous GM squandered far more assets (free agent dollars and draft picks) into far less.

But the cynic and doomer overlooks this, weighs meaningless words over weighty deeds, and carries on unabated with their cynicism and dooming. So as a defender of this GM, assigning him moniker due, I say do not be impressed by words, or judge the man by his words, but instead by his actions. And those actions have been exemplary.

If I was going to nitpick, maybe we should’ve resigned Len instead of Whiteside, and it is too bad he could not coerce Derrick Jones Jr to sign with us instead of Glen Robinson, and done more to land DiVincenzo when the clock was running. But we don’t know all the particulars of those circumstances so to assign blame is speculative and irresponsible.

And I think the GM is so confident in his ability to bring in the right talent on this team he retained a (very) below average coach for sake of continuity and “relationship building”, with the notion he will give him such a complete roster he can succeed wildly in spite of himself.

I know how this GM thinks. He’s going to get rid of Bagley, he’s going to try to get rid of Buddy, he’s going to make a play for Pascal Siakum and maybe Sabonis, and he’s going to target Franz Wagner, Kai Jones and Jalen Johnson with our pick if he cannot package the pick for a star.

He’s NOT going to waste the pick on Zaiare Williams (too fragile) or Scottie Barnes (too pathetic on offense), I can tell you that much! And when you shown what you can do with nothing and turn into something, filling out the roster with 3 more high quality rotational players with a lottery pick, Bagley and Buddy, is a relative breeze!

Words mean nothing. Blowhards and phonies can be good at words. It is how con-men get ahead, with noise signifying nothing. I am good at words but there is wisdom and truth within them, like when I said Davis had star potential after Day 1, Metu was a better prospect than Harry Giles from training camp, and Woodward was an undersized PF with NO game off of preseason, validated recently on the Pod with this esteemable Jerry Reynolds!

Further, when the armchair GMs were devising trades for Buddy and HB, I boldly asserted they were staying put and the player that McGenius was really trying to trade Bagley. Lo and behold that is what transpired including our failed attempted to acquire Sediq Bey.
Words are meaningless, unless they come from a source you can trust and take to the bank, even on Sundays when backs are closed, because the actions associated with the words have merit.

But you are only as good as your last deal, so to speak, however, and winners do not rest on their laurels. They are always aspiring to more. Competition and strategic excellence is their life force. And the move to keep this coach needs to be assauged with stratgeic wizardry in the next few weeks. Just like I will turn on a player (Bagley) when evidence is overwhelming, I will flip on a GM if he botches the challenges before him. He has to resign Davis and Holmes and nail the draft, preferably Kuminga or Kai Jones! And like he turned nothing into 4 quality rotational players, giving us a bench where we had none, he has to turn neutral to negative assets (Buddy and Bagley) into something we need.

The capacity of the person in charge to respond to this formidable task is 180 degrees from where we were, and rivaling the best of his collegues, yet the irrevelant past is consistently referenced on this forum, and the analysis of experienced fans fail to make his distinction. We are in good hands, wait and see.

Talent is king. Talk is cheap. Our GM has shown he has an eye for talent, his talent is player talent evaluation and acquisition. The coach was talking bullshit about players one day after the season commitment to be better defensively. Sounds good, so what ? Buddy can talk all he wants about checking his man with renewed vigor and focus, he will never guard like Brooks on the Grizzlies or be able to create off the dribble like Brooks.

Attitude and words and promises don’t matter when the underlying skills are not there to be nurtured and developed. Vlade did not possess the intelligence, humility, work ethic or work habits to succeed on the job, but he had plenty of words! He lasted 4-5 years with words and a promise to be held accountable, he even said he would leave if the Kings were not on playoff team by his self-imposed deadline. And those words were as hollow as any, since he only left because he was obligated to and not because he was a man of his word.

We are far removed from those dark comical days yet too many experienced onlookers in the Kings fan base cannot seem to make the dinstinction. McGenius has as much to do with the previous GM as Woodward does with Metu. One is a gamer, a baller, the other is a guy who can talk a good game, but better far removed from the action and any tangible effect.

This is a long way of saying who gives a shit about the press conference, bring on the draft, free agency and trade market, that is when this GM will truly speak.

Adamsite
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May 21, 2021 4:00 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

LOL, I love how you justify Bogi leaving for nothing because no one could have predicted what he would do once he left Sac, but then also praise McNair as having an eye for talent.

In regards to Bogi:

Are you blaming the GM for not anticipating he would set these career high marks; are you saying you expected this jump or this jump was possible in SAC

In regards to everyone else:

Our GM has shown he has an eye for talent, his talent is player talent evaluation and acquisition.

Can’t have it both ways, amigo.

murraytant
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May 21, 2021 5:25 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

Good take.
Hard to anticipate Bogi having a career year. But 4/72 is a lot of money. Hard to anticipate that Haliburton would take Bogi minutes. Could have gotten, I hear a pick from Atlanta but would have had to take Snell and that may have effected moves for Wright and TD and Jones.
The Bogi “let go” was driven by a desire to get cap space.
The 5 mentioned players acquired for next to nothing is good work.
Draft- best at 8 or even in top 3 ( unlikely) and worst at 14 ( very unlikely). Most likely 9. Agree no S. Barnes. There are 3 SG’s around 8-9. Kings have SG’s- take BPA and trade Buddy? For what? or look at Giddy and Sengun??
There will be a player at 8-10. Not Z. Williams. and not J. Johnson IMO
Swing for Siakum, Sabonis or Collins ? (yes)
then bye Bagley.

I think underneath all the words, there is a plan or a theme- in limited space, team is indeed deeper. “Lost” 3 second round picks but really most of those do not pan out.
Speaking of second round- there is a 6/10 guy from Belgium who is intriquing . I guess I like my Euros this year.
and Kings need FA or FA’s that are like Harkless and Len.

Carl
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May 21, 2021 7:53 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

I skimmed this, but if you’re wrong in a year, have some integrity and admit it. I certainly will.

Otis
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May 21, 2021 8:24 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

Good lord.

I don’t read your nonsensical ramblings, but it shouldn’t take me that long to scroll past it.

Hire an editor.

Marty
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May 21, 2021 9:41 pm
Reply to  Otis

Need a collapse button ASAP.

RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 9:47 pm
Reply to  Marty

The Kings come standard with a built-in collapse button in all their models. TKH should follow suit.

WizsSox
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May 21, 2021 10:05 pm
Reply to  Marty

Haha. I mean my posts aren’t always short but I say if you go more than 5-6 paragraphs breaks then there should be 3 day ban or something. Good lord.

Kosta
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May 22, 2021 12:06 am
Reply to  kings4ever

I kinda wish TKH would have the “Fanpost” option, like in the ‘old site’ days. This would probably match up well with your ability to write at length.

🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Kosta
Kingsguru21
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May 22, 2021 12:15 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

Keep writing these K4E. If nothing else, it pisses Otis off and that’s always alright with me!

jjdski
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May 24, 2021 1:34 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

I want some of what you are smoking! Good lord, it must be high grade!!

Putthegundown
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May 21, 2021 3:44 pm

I just hope and pray McNair is only keeping Walton until a favorite far more talented coach will be available after next season.

Adamsite
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May 21, 2021 4:05 pm
Reply to  Putthegundown

What if one becomes available this offseason?

Putthegundown
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May 21, 2021 5:13 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

It’s up to Vivek if he wants to lose that money. We know he won’t but I guess stranger things have happened in the Front Office.

Carl
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May 21, 2021 7:54 pm
Reply to  Putthegundown

until a favorite

I don’t like it. This is how Walton got hired. There are certainly more than 29 other people in the world who can coach an NBA team.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
TheGrantNapear
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May 21, 2021 4:18 pm

Barring lottery luck and leaping into the top 4, I think the Kings need to make a move for a big name player. Kind of the same way Phx did with Paul. This team needs a leader who can lead by play and example, a true alpha. Who’s available? I don’t know. But it’s time we had a vet player that’s at least one of the three best players on the team.

Bbmuteman
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May 21, 2021 5:24 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

What would be your suggestion of a big name player that the kings could get?

SelecaoKOJ
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May 21, 2021 5:34 pm

I want Bobby Portis( Will add the nasty and toughness this team desperately needs)and Gary Trent Jr back in Sac.

Both unrestricted. Gary will cost. McNair start unloading those salaries.

SexyNapear
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May 21, 2021 5:45 pm

there is no game-changing mega trade to be made unless the Kings are willing to part with mulitiple first rounders. Barnes and Bagley and Hield have almost no real value in a swap for a legit piece. Fox might be the only real trade piece, but dealing him would take a deal of monumental strategy and courage.

Bottom line: The team is f—cked

SelecaoKOJ
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May 21, 2021 6:38 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

Unless they move one or both of Fox/Hali they are not getting anyone that is a game changer

Carl
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May 21, 2021 7:57 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

My bet is they’re willing to swap multiple firsts. I believe Barnes and Bagley do have some value – not a lot, but some. Those two plus the 2021 and 2023 unprotected firsts might be enough to acquire a minor star.

RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 8:05 pm
Reply to  Carl

What is a minor star? Do you have an example?

Adamsite
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May 21, 2021 10:25 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Myles Turner

RAP87
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May 22, 2021 4:16 am
Reply to  RikSmits

MPJ..

Carl
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May 22, 2021 10:29 am
Reply to  RikSmits

I’m not sure. I don’t necessarily agree that this is the way to go. I’m just convinced that this is where they’re going because they did it in Houston and there’s no other reasonable way to get better with this roster, since they refuse to tank.

I look at it in the general sense of you get a #2 pick with some scoring ability and a lot of issues, two firsts and an average to below average starter. That has value, especially coming from a team that’s always bad.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
BobbyJoeHill
May 21, 2021 6:06 pm

Xypteras, you’re such a clueless homer and beholden to the brand. As long as Vivek remains in control the Kings will always struggle. McNair was a longtime underling in a franchise
that also underperformed given their starting backcourt. But that was predictable considering Their egos. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Kings wind up as the Rockets v. 2 with fox and Haliberton as the new Harden and Westbrook. The only accountability McNair can show is pledging to resign iff the Kings fail to make the playoffs again.

SelecaoKOJ
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May 21, 2021 6:36 pm
Reply to  BobbyJoeHill

Tony is just holding on to hope. It’s ok.

Ham, Jones, Kayte, etc… You want to talk Homerism and Blind Selective
reporting. They really need to keep their jobs. It must be a good salary.

BestHyperboleEver
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May 21, 2021 6:48 pm
Reply to  BobbyJoeHill

For reference, in the 15 years since the Kings last made the playoffs, the Rockets have:

  • 11 playoff appearance
  • 2 conference finals appearances
  • 4 conference semis appearances
  • 4 division titles
  • averaged 47 wins per season

In the one season Harden and Westbrook played together they won their division and reached the conference semi-finals, losing to a team that absolutely waltzed to a championship.

If the Kings want to “underachieve” like that it’ll be just fine by me.

Last edited 2 years ago by BestHyperboleEver
Kingsguru21
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May 21, 2021 6:57 pm

And in that time BHE, not once did Houston pick in the top 10. In 2010 (Patrick Patterson) and 2011 (Marcus Morris) they picked 14th. In 2012 they picked 12th (Jeremy Lamb).

Just looking it over, the best player they took in McNair’s time in Houston was…..Clint Capela in 2014 at 25th overall.

That’s why he isn’t that eager to bottom out. It’s not the only method to team building. Never has been.

RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 7:48 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Having a player like Harden has a huge influence on not bottoming out.

We do not have a player with Harden’s impact on the game. I have to hope Monte understands that.

Carl
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May 21, 2021 7:58 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

I think he does and is planning to mortgage everything else to get that player, including multiple firsts, Fox and/or Haliburton. That’s not his first choice, but if it comes down to it, those guys are going out for the right player coming back.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
RikSmits
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May 21, 2021 8:08 pm
Reply to  Carl

I can’t see how we can outbid other teams and who that star would be then.

Doesn’t sound much like plan to me.

Carl
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May 22, 2021 10:33 am
Reply to  RikSmits

I agree. Hope is not a plan.

Kingsguru21
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May 22, 2021 12:46 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Having a player like Harden has a huge influence on not bottoming out.

Then why wasn’t Harden acquired until October 2012? Oh right, he wasn’t available until then really.

They didn’t bottom out because they didn’t believe in it. James Harden had nothing to do with it other than they were looking to acquire him when he was available.

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May 22, 2021 8:41 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

What’s crazy is those 4 players you just mentioned (Paterson, Morris, Lamb, and Capela) are arguably a combined better than any 4 players the Kings have drafted since they last made the playoffs.

Kingsguru21
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May 22, 2021 10:23 am
Reply to  Adamsite

And that’s why Adam, IMO, 90% of the job for a GM is proper asset valuation. Pete and Vlade did not do that. It’s early enough in Monte’s tenure, but I like the beginning of his time here. I feel he’s improved things around here by not doing what the fans want. He’s not running the franchise by making people happy. The fact there is so much grumbling about direction, the fact there is so much grumbling about every decision is normal. This has been normal fan behavior, it’s just not necessarily happened in Sac throughout the franchise history.

The general reception prior was hopeless. There was no reason to expect any level of success with Vlade running the show. I feel like that expectation exists now. Which is healthy, IMO.

Fans are emotional, demanding. There’s nothing wrong with it. I don’t even think the noise Monte is hearing here is anything compared to what he’s used to in Houston.

It comes down to what it always does: Talent. Either Monte makes moves or he doesn’t. In reality, all we are doing is squawking about it. And that’s okay, too.

Last edited 2 years ago by Kingsguru21
rockbottom
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May 21, 2021 8:05 pm

Which decision did Mc Nairobi make ? Also, they chose not to promote him !

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May 21, 2021 10:11 pm
Reply to  BobbyJoeHill

I would love for the Kings to struggle as much as the rockets did last year. I just continually am amazed at those that have watched the kings for any length of time and can put down last years rockets or similar consistent playoff teams who haven’t gotten over the hump as failures.

Id take under performance in the playoffs vs no performance in the playoffs.

Last edited 2 years ago by WizsSox
AnybodyButBagley
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May 21, 2021 7:30 pm

The GM and the coach have always been held accountable. Vivek fires one or both of them every other year.

The Kangz could not afford the usual routine this year.

TheRaven
May 21, 2021 7:40 pm

Well considering we endured yet another listless season when we can’t even look forward to a guaranteed top-5 pick or a new coaching staff, and possibly get to watch another good fan-favorite player possibly walk for nothing, the fact that we can now hold McNair accountable makes me feel SO much better.

Seriously though, I hear what is being said and I am not ready to give up on yet another Kings front office just yet either. The thought that there is any real accountability from our perspective or that it salves any of the wounds we have endured over the last decade-and-a-half just seems kind of laughable. It is just another form of PR-Speak.

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May 21, 2021 8:06 pm

Allright MM, should us what you got in the coming months

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TheGrantNapear
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May 21, 2021 8:53 pm

Morant > Fox

BasketballHella
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May 21, 2021 9:24 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Morant is a killer fox is soft.

BasketballHella
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May 21, 2021 9:01 pm

I feel the same as the other commenters on here that have voiced more of the same. I just think this time is more eloquently phrased than, €œ if threee years team still bad I step down, or remind you I vlade.€

But basically I appreciate him taking ownership of the fans cursing the day he was born someday. I guess?

Migz
May 21, 2021 9:11 pm

Remember when he found great value in the second rd with Xavier Tillman?

HongKongKingsFan
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May 21, 2021 9:30 pm
Reply to  Migz

and that’s why I really don’t like retaining Walton…as he is not developing the rookies (i.e. Ramsey and Woodard)

We need to come to an conclusion whether we missed out Tillman only if Ramsey and Woodard were given the same amount of playing time on court which same as Tillman or Bane………..to see how our own rookies perform on court.

I just doubt we will see them play next season….(As Walton is still our coach)

SelecaoKOJ
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May 21, 2021 9:30 pm
Reply to  Migz

How about Gary Trent. Wonderful talent evaluation as usual. 2nd Rounder just given away

Can we get him back now? Free agent unrestricted

Marty
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May 21, 2021 9:34 pm

Yes I agree, he owned those media appearances conducted by friendlies.

Is it typical for GMs of losing teams to attempt to rebuild confidence in the offseason? Asking for 1/3 of the league.

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May 21, 2021 10:41 pm

So what? I don’t care about accountability for failure, I just want less failures.

2018DraftTimeMachine
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LaBradfordsCreditCard
May 21, 2021 10:45 pm

Please, for the love of all mankind, stop giving Vlonty McDivac any credit whatsoever for drafting Haliburton.

Any basketball fan worth a shit will read mock drafts and draft chatter at least a month out from the draft and will be familiar with most of the big names ahead of time.

There was not one mock, blog, fan site or publication that I read that did not have Tyrese as a Top 5 or at worst Top 10 pick.

So yeah, if you want to give Vlonty credit for not panicking out of paranoia – €œhow come no one else has drafted him, what’s wrong with him?€ – then so be it, but this was not in any way, shape or form some brilliant prognostication by Vlonty.

He screwed up the Bogi thing; the Kaminsky and GRIII signings were a joke; and not pulling Luke aside and telling him to play Bjelly over Bagley also likely cost us a few games.

I will give him credit for picking up Wright, Davis and Harkless on the cheap at the deadline, but that’s about it.

Strong C- at the very best overall, and not convinced it’s actually a D+.

HongKongKingsFan
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May 21, 2021 11:15 pm

To be fair, McNair at least tried hard to move / trade Bagley (the player not drafted by him)…

Also, the contract of Hield was difficult to move………

Compare to other 29GMs, who really stand out this season ? (maybe only Hawks and Knick for finding a good coach to lead their respective team)

Which GMs did a really good job before the start of season / mid-season, that added much talents to their team and made a huge impact ? (Maybe the Suns)

02kingsfan
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May 22, 2021 12:48 am

The other problem I see potentially is McNair may had been hampered by Vivek to only keep Buddy hence the whole bogdonavic saga went down the way it did.

ajonez81
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May 21, 2021 11:13 pm

Bruh McNair has made this team 2% better thus far lol… we’ll see… results are all I care about and he has not moved the needle much so far, he’s better than Vlade so far but that’s not a compliment.

Corneroffense
May 22, 2021 8:59 am

I saw an interesting stat yesterday. After reading the Jerry Reynolds quote listing teams who improved and made the playoffs this year without getting a Doncic-level draftee I looked at the Knicks’ stats. They made a couple roster changes, but no blockbusters. You know who crushed it off the bench this year for them? Journeyman former King Alec Burks. And you know who did great as a starting 3? Journeyman Reggie Bullock. And who’s getting solid center minutes? Journeyman Nerlens Noel. We think we know who has €˜talent’ based on stats, but your stats are only as good as the opportunity to get a role that’s suited to your strengths as a player, on a team where those roles blend together properly. What does that mumbo jumbo mean? It means that the Kings have playoff talent, but not a playoff GM or coach. Sorry, DeAaron. What you’re saying about Walton really means he’d be a decent, well-liked assistant, not a good head coach. He’s proven that with two teams now. I hope like many that McNair is changing the GM situation, but doubt Walton is ever going to change the lack of a quality HC.

Keyhole
May 22, 2021 9:00 am

I would argue that the bench is vital to a teams success and that the kings bench is much better and deeper than it was at the start of the season. You have to have assets to get assets and the cupboard was stripped clean. Getting big pieces will take time. I’m happy with the changes he made.

Inthestarz
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May 22, 2021 1:30 pm

I mean, who put it out there to Amick that Walton’s contract was structured how it was (can’t be stretched) and why?

NowLoveThemOnceAgain
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May 22, 2021 4:58 pm

The Kings aspire to mediocrity. No defense, and you have one of the finest former defensive players in the broadcast booth who would make for a better coach. Formerly loyal fans like me are worn out and don’t care any more. It’s no longer fun or entertaining. NBA 3.0!

Mike120
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May 22, 2021 7:42 pm
  1. He’s not Vlade.
Want2win
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May 24, 2021 5:48 am

trade buddy for late first rounder, draft Franz Wagner with our 13th pick, resign Homes. We will win 33 games and call it improvement and us fans with Stockholm’s syndrome can be happy…

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