The Sacramento Kings have narrowed down their coaching search to finalists Mike Brown, Steve Clifford, and Mark Jackson, according to reports from Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Mark Jackson has emerged as a finalist for the Sacramento Kings head coaching job, sources tell me and @sam_amick. Kings GM Monte McNair has begun to notify candidates whether they will move onto in-person meetings.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2022
Golden State assistant Mike Brown and Brooklyn consultant Steve Clifford are among finalists for Sacramento Kings’ head coaching job, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2022
While the reports don’t definitively finalize this as the only three candidates still in the running, there’s nothing to suggest that any other candidates are still in contention. This means that the Kings have narrowed down the list to three coaches with previous head coaching experience.
Other candidates had included Darvin Ham, Will Hardy, Charles Lee, and Mike D’Antoni.
Coaching Profiles
Mike Brown
Steve Clifford
Mark Jackson
Update: James Ham has confirmed that Brown, Clifford, and Jackson are the only three finalists.
Confirmed that the three finalist for the Sacramento Kings head coaching job are Mark Jackson, Steve Clifford and Mike Brown. The other four candidates have been told that they are no longer in the running. In person meetings are next.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) April 30, 2022
Hahahahahaha… was there ever any doubt?
Monte’s decision?
..
This is not good at all. Jackson shows either Vivek is still meddling or Monte and Co have their head up their ass.
Why get a young upcoming coach and build like so many teams have started doing when you can hire re-treads and asshats?
Oh, and Vivek, go fuck yourself.
He’ll sure as shit defend it like it was his decision if Vivek picks Jackson. Like I said sarcastically when this came up last week, Jackson’s reputation for creating division and chaos certainly seems to fit the Kings management ethos.
That’s part of the GMs job though. Fair or not.
You think he just put Jackson’s name out there to please his boss after all? Probably never considered him but if it gets his boss to stop nagging him about it. I can see it
Vivek was there in Oakland when all this went down. Lacob said not one of the two hundred staff there liked Jackson. That would presumably include Vivek, wouldn’t it? Why would he be ok with this hire unless monte wanted it? I’m just not understanding the logic of this hire from anyone’s point of view.
You’re looking for a rational decision. Does Vivek strike you as rational when it comes to bball decisions?
I think he’s canny about making money, at the very least. Hiring Jackson with his very public anti-lgbqt stance is one way to turn off some of the fan base. Why even chance it? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’m looking at the final 3 as this is Mike Brown’s job to lose at this point. I would be hard pressed to see why the Kings would prefer Clifford over Brown (mainly due to health reasons), and it’s even more difficult to see Jackson over Brown largely due to the fact that Mike Brown is actually coaching. Mike Brown has spent more time in this stint as the assistant to Steve Kerr on GSW’s bench than Mark Jackson has ever spent time coaching period.
I get why Mark Jackson didn’t return to coaching though. He’s got a great gig working one of the top analyst spots for ABC/ESPN. I can see why he wouldn’t leave that to be an assistant, and frankly, I don’t think that’s why he’s a good candidate for this job. The Lakers I get because they could probably use him and can afford whatever coaching staff he needs to get the job done. But the Kings can’t.
Mike Brown is capable of working with Alvin Gentry and Doug Christie and even Rico Hines, and keeping the staff on as is. I don’t see Mark Jackson being able to do that, and frankly I don’t see a first timer being able to pull it off, either. I guess the difference is I can see Mike Brown figuring out a way to get past that and bridge the gap where I’m not convinced anybody else would do as well.
And this is just one element of what makes the Sacramento Kings such a messy place for head coaches and players alike. Too much goddamn chaos and dysfunction. With Mike Brown, at least you know what you’re getting. Steve Clifford too, I just don’t see him being able to potentially stick around as long as Brown could.
Vivek is not a “staff member.”
He’s above such riff-raff.
That’s one thing Vivek and Jackson have in common. Nobody in the organization liked them.
Well this isn’t what alot of people wanted to hear, that’s for sure. Me included. I’m hoping there’s a young guy invited in the list…. but if I have to pick one (of the 3 named) I’d pick Brown if he’d take the job.
Same here, though I think if it’s one of these young guys they might be easier to be manipulated by this dumb ownership company to cave in to their unrealistic and sometimes outrageous demand. Brown and Clifford are at least the type of coaches who have both the reputation and track record to put their foot down.
It’s Brown or bust for me at this point.
I’d be okay with Clifford, but less enthused. Like I’ve said a few places in this thread, I had Brown, Ham and Hardy as my top 3 anyway.
I don’t have a problem whatsoever with Mike Brown as the next head coach. I think he checks a lot of boxes that this team needs, and one of those is a veteran coach who can manage a complicated roster with a complicated messy organization. I can see why, Ham and Hardy in particular, a first timer might not be the best choice given what the Kings are facing.
That said, I’d be a lot more excited about Darvin Ham over the longer term, and I’d be more excited about Will Hardy, too. It just might be a time and place thing.
What concerns me most, really, is that Mark Jackson is a finalist. And I’m hoping that’s mostly lip service as a veteran. I don’t see any way fans wanting to see Mark Jackson as a HC. I see that in LaLa land, but not here.
I guess we’ll find out in a week or 10 days or so.
I know I might be in a bit of a minority, but I would be fine with Clifford. I watched a lot of Orlando for a few years, I was following Oladipo’s career and for some reason enjoyed Vooch’s game. I think he is a good coach, smart game planner. Not a sexy pick, but did some decent work with a very mediocre roster in Orlando.
I am not sure I am completely buying the Mark Jackson rumors. I wouldn’t put it past Vivek to be doing a favor to Jackson and his agency by giving him some good press after hearing Jackson complain earlier in the year that the Warrior narrative has ruined his coaching opportunities.
I think what’s more important is that it pretty much hands Mike Brown the job if he wants it at this point. And I highly doubt Mike Brown would end up a finalist in LA, Charlotte, or Utah (if that opens up). So the strategy might not be to end up with the absolute best 3 finalists but 3 guys who fit a certain criteria (previous HC experience) and are known quantities. With the top guy (Brown) and another guy who might wow you more in person than he did on Zoom (Clifford), and another guy who can say we gave a shot to (Jackson).
Maybe that’s just hope on my part, though. It very well could be. But something tells me this is probably McNair’s call and I just don’t see McNair wanting to get after it with a Mark Jackson type.
I agree. I think Mike Brown would be a fine pick as well.
I know Jerry has mentioned a few times about how he trusts a guy who has done it before, and Brown has a pretty damn good resume.
Not every rookie coach with a good pedigree is going to be Willie Green or Ime Udoka. They could be Brian Shaw, Nate Bjorken, or Luke Walton.
I think it is important to note Adelman was thought of as a retread as well, not to mention Monty Williams.
Brown says Brown is good
As long as it’s not Jackson, I’m okay. A new commodity would have been more exciting, but also would’ve been higher risk (and, yes, higher reward). There’s something to say for predictable competence. Of course, there’s always the possibility that the new commodities were advised by their mentors to avoid Sacramento like the plague and removed themselves from consideration, so this is the final three by default.
None of these 3 days excite me, but I could be OK with Clifford or Brown. If it’s Jackson, we as a city need to go nuclear on this org.
All arrows are pointing towards him
All aboard the USS Retread! Your destination? The middle of the ocean where you will do circles for a couple of years before groundhog day resets again.
Either that, or the hire will actually start moving the ship in the right direction only to be fired for…reasons. (Malone and Joerger say hello) Then groundhog day resets again.
Best summary yet of our next two years.
Of course it’s those 3 candidates who are the finalist for the Kings job! It would just be another Kings special “Signing them for 4 years to coach for 2 years”..
Let’s go Mark Jackson!
#Kangz!
Mark Jacksson was disliked by the entire Warriors organization, but he is a final three in our coaching search….wtf Monte. Grow a pair and tell Vivek no!
No one says no to the smartest guy in the room
Mark Jackson led the Warriors to the playoffs and then he got fired. Was it because they knew Steve Kerr was so much better “suited” to the team (official story), or was Jackson just a behind the scenes nightmare?
Jackson was a nightmare.
Part of me wonders if these are the only 3 that are interested more than it’s Monte narrowing it down. 2 of them aren’t even in the league right now.
I’d guess the likes of Ham, Hardy and Lee would be more interested in the Hornets or the Lakers. Kings only get the leftovers from the poo poo plater.
If Snyder leaves Utah, that’s immediately the most coveted position out there.
Pops may hang them up too. If the Spurs job opens up, that’s even more competition for quality coaching.
Maybe this is just Jackson trying to get leverage to land the Lakers job. I’m sure LeBron and Davis will love getting anti-gay preaching in the locker room.
Lbj and AD are gay?
My point was more that I’m sure those two stars, after having such an embarrassing season, would just love to end up with a coach who has other agendas besides trying to win.
Besides, Hollywood and homophobia isn’t a great looking combination, but hey, if the Buss family wants to take that leap, they can go right ahead.
Sam Amick said the other day on Deuce and Mo podcast that Snyder is reported to be burned out from coaching and probably would take a break before taking another gig
So he’ll be ready in 2 years, when we fire this incoming coach.
I don’t think the young assistants who have never been a HC would be picky about attaining one of thirty positions in existence.
Have you seen what this organization has done to coaches over the last 16 years?
Of the 11 coaches since Adelman, only one is still a head coach in the NBA. We joke that Sacramento is where a player’s career comes to die, but it seems to be the same for coaches.
To be fair, only two of the coaches we’ve had in that time deserve to still be head coaches in the NBA. I’m thinking that once he gets “fully” recovered, Joerger will get another HC gig.
Mama, there goes that fanbase.
Lots more malarkey where that came from. Kangzz!
Here we go again.
Fuck this FO!
If Jackson is hired as coach, I will cease being a King’s fan. My interest is minimal as it is – watched no games this year – but this would be the death knell.
Bye bye
We’re the most cursed franchise in the NBA
..
Two guys that preach defense, and one guy that preaches for whom there is no defense. Got it.
The only defense against Mark Jackson is having mace in your purse. What an unrepentant scumbag he is.
But you know, also self-righteous, which is a terrible combination, unless you seek to get ahead in politics. Selecting Jackson would be at least as bad as selecting Bagley over Doncic, just another crippling move by a franchise that is already dragging itself across the floor with its one good arm.
Why am I not surprised?
This was almost exactly my thought.
WHY
We absolutely need to flood Mark Jackson’s social media inboxes to try to convince him out of the running. He’s the only one that could save the Kangz from themselves.
I just did. I sent this to his Instagram account as a direct message.
“Please stop. You are a fine commentator of nba games. If you are hired as the Kings next coach you will destroy the very thin ice the fan base is standing on at this point in time. You will not be welcomed by Kings fans in Sacramento. It will be ugly. Please stop. I’m begging you. There’s is absolutely no good that can come from this. Keep the very good job you have and enjoy a happy life. Thank you.”
I’m glad that the only laughter I can enjoy as a Kings fan is this type of interaction because of how bleak things are. If Mark Jackson is hired, I’ll tune out anything Kings until he’s fired and we’re in the same position. As part of my studies in Kinesiology, I took an elective in sports psychology and the Kings have effectively broken every rule ever written for building up athletes and a franchise. I’m now confident that my couch GM abilities surpass this organization. This is a bad episode of Seinfeld.
Thanks for speaking for all of the fans. Boy do we need more folks like you.
I’ve already adopted the handle I needed in anticipation of the slow-motion catastrophe that is the Kings organization. (That said, deep down I’m a fan and actually really like the current roster once we can add a real 4.)
It was a nice dream…
Put me back to sleep!!
If it’s Jackson that might be the last straw for me. It’s like we made a deal with the devil to keep the team here. The team stays but we get the worst owner in professional sports.
I don’t believe this report. Sorry.
Had it said Mike Brown and Steve Clifford are the finalists for the kings head coach position then I would believe it. The fact that Mark Jackson is listed makes me wonder how informed this report is.
this is click bait reporting as far as I’m concerned. Lord knows I hope my intuition is correct because man, if Jackson is the choice then say goodbye to Sabonis and Fox. Aren’t they supposed to have some input I’m on this choice. I can’t imagine Sabonis would be happy if Jackson is his next coach.
James Ham has confirmed this, also.
James Ham only knows what the organization tells anyone.
I hope it is a lie…..l.
This is patently false. But, believe whatever you want I guess.
James Ham has the Kings interview schedule?
The Kings are notorious for not dealing with the local media. He knows what Kings put out there and what everyone else reads.
If there are reports from Shams and Woj and those are being confirmed by Ham, it means it’s real. Choosing to believe those three are collectively wrong or lying to you, that’s just you being in denial.
My point is that James Ham reports what the Kings tell him or what he reads. The same stuff anyone with the internet can read. Woj, Shams, etc…
I like James Ham but, he is a local Kings reporter. The Kings do not do anything with the local media. Realistically James Ham is not the best source for Kings mews because the organization controls what he knows. They talk to the national media first.
It is not my intent to say that James Ham is lying. It is my intent to express my hope that this crap about Mark Jackson being seriously considered as a coach is a lie. Mark Jackson putting it out there because he is what he is. The Kings putting it out there for whatever reason. Who knows?
I sincerely hope that it is not true.
Hamm does not work for the Kings anymore. He speaks the truth again, as he did before he worked for them.
Never said he does not speak the truth. I did say that he only knows what he is told by the organization or reads what other journalists report.
I hope that Mark Jackson as a finalist is a lie from the organization.
Better run this by the Ministry of Truth.
It’s still a circular firing squad among those three if the source isn’t reliable, which we can’t know, since he (and it is a he) is too chickenshit to go on the record.
He doesn’t report everything he knows. There’s a difference. There’s a fine line to walk when you’re a local reporting providing local coverage. If you think Jason Andersen or Jason Jones, Sean Cunningham or anyone else in the media is dumping it all out there, you’re crazy. It’s not how that works.
The national media is who the Kings talk to, not the local media. Anything of any substance does not come from the local media first. It should but, it doesn’t.
KANGZ
I respect this POV, but I completely and wholly disagree. I’d even go as far to say that this is complete and utter bullshit. The dynamic is different, therefore what gets reported is different.
Local media dynamic is different. We agree there. The organization could improve greatly by actually allowing the local media to have a local advantage. It would give the front office more credibility in my opinion.
IF you are being critical of the org for how they have handled media members, totally 100% agree ABB. If you are being critical of the Ham, Cunningham, Jones, Anderson’s of the world (and more than just them), that’s where I draw the line.
I don’t care who reports what first. I get far more information from Ham, Cunningham and Brenden Nunes on their pod (and from Jill Adge if I listened to hers– which I do not– and that says nothing about her) than I have from national sources. Woj and Shams might break the information ‘first’, but I care much more about being right.
The whole ‘Mark Jackson was a finalist’ thing was for shock value, nothing else. And for an hour I was fairly rocked by that list and wholly underwhelmed by it.
But Jackson excepted, I totally get where McNair is going with that list, and I think Ham presented that in his Sunday Musings yesterday pretty well. If the Kings choose Mike Brown (and it seems like that’s where this is going) and it ends up working out for a half decade or longer, will it really matter that you didn’t choose Will Hardy or Darvin Ham? No. Look at the column Ziller wrote this morning in GMIB about Mark Jackson. There’s a pretty compelling argument, I think, for Jackson to coach…..the Lakers.
But I’ll be listening to Tuesday’s pod with Ham, Cunningham and Nunes (if it’s a trio) to see what they say. Why? They are local media and they know once you walk that horse out of the barn you can’t walk it back in so to speak.
The Kings are not the source for most of the national reporting. It is usually agents or the league office because the Kings need to formally request permission to talk to employees/consultants from other organizations.
Had those “Kings rumours” are a lie before?
Fxxk that why not even one assistant coach are on the list. (I really doubt how comprehensive those interviews had been)
Also, why they just can’t wait longer to wait to see if other playoff coach would be released, so the FO can add them (like Q Synder into consideration)
Let’s try to think like Monte for a minute. Monte is a conservative GM. The evidence: two fairly safe draft picks, not matching the Bogi extension, taking his sweet time in making any moves.
The question for Monte doesn’t seem to be “who has the highest upside?” if that were the case, we have some more inexperienced finalists. Instead, the question seems to be “who has the least downside?“ or “Who has the most bankable median outcome?”
The good news is, that isn’t Mark Jackson.
The other two are a toss-up, but my guess is Mike Brown, only because that pick probably makes Monte‘s constituents a little happier. Golden State connection for Vivek, a less boring brand of basketball for the fans.
I think you’re on to something. Monte has shown himself to be extremely deliberative, patient, and middle-of-the-road in his thinking. Honestly, after the extreme dysfunction of the Pete D and Vlade eras, this may be exactly the kind of leader the Kings FO needs– someone whose number one goal is to avoid shooting himself in the foot by getting cute and going against the grain. Not sure that’s a recipe for a championship future, but it may also be a recipe for, at the very least, a competent future. That’s progress around here.
So next season 32 wins and 11th in the West . Wow, sounds like a great strategy to lose the shrinking fan base .
This fan base is going to shrink a lot faster if they make the mistake of hiring Jackson.
I’m half guessing the addition of Jackson to the list is to make the hiring of Mike Brown all the more palatable. Unfortunately I don’t think it makes the playoffs any more realistic in the near future. I’m wrong a lot, though.
This is quite the salient take. And I will point out, too, this fits with Houston hired coaches as well. That’s definitely something to remember.
I was hoping for Ham or Hardy of the group named. But clearly that was not where this was going.
Just when you think it can not get worse, but with Vivek ,its always possible .
NBA 3.0! (Vivek’s grade as owner: 1.0, as in ‘D.’ That’s the only D we have on this team–and don’t count Doug Christie, he’s not active any more.)
Honestly. If Mark Jackson becomes the Kings coach I think that will be it for me. I’ve been through a lot of good and bad times being a fan since the year they moved to Sacramento but this would almost definitely seal the end of my fandom.
We’ve already watched enough terrible basketball under the guidance of a scumbag head coach. Damned near anyone other than Mark Jackson would be a tangible improvement.
I’m probably the only one that would be fine with Mark Jackson as a coach. In fact, I prefer him over the other two options. Regardless, if it is Monte’s decision I am all for it.
Also, I encourage people to read up on the Mark Jackson situation. It isn’t as black and white as people are making it out to be.
Mark Jackson burner account found.
Just kid……..
I mean why you would prefer Mark Jackson than the other two ?
Haha i think when it comes to basketball we arent giving him nearly enough credit. he got a young team to buy in and were ready to fight for him. and they played defense. ive also watched a few clips from former players and coaches about mark jackson and not everything is black and white as people make it out to be
Why even argue for Jackson? This was like when they hired Puke. Everything pointed to Walton being a shitty coach, because he was.
Same with Jackson. No one has hired him since the Warriors got rid of him, and yes, it is black and white. He’s a problem, so why the fuck even go down the path?
Kimgs need to stop going against logic and reason. And you are agreeing with Vivek, yet another sign that this os a terrible idea.
if this is true, it again proves the organization and ownership are a complete joke.
Anyone have some interesting names out there for our next GM in two years?
If the Kings hire Mark Jackson might as well pull out the rolodex for David Kahn
Can I be allowed to be objective without getting blasted off the blog? IMO, Jackson thus far is as qualified as any of the other candidates. Is it possible that he learned from his mistakes as Warrior coach and will be a much better coach this time around? He must have impressed Monte with the first interview to even get a second interview.
I was never sure Mark Jackson had a child until now.
C’mon man. Wow.
This is a bit much.
Ok, adopted child then. As an adopted individual I can make that joke.
He hasn’t coached, or even been an assistant coach, since he was fired by the Warriors in 2014. He has no other coaching experience other than his 3 years with Golden State where he improved the team each year. If he hasn’t gotten a job in the league over the past 8 years there may be something going on there.
That’s the thing. He improved the team each year. Who’s to say he can’t do the same with the Kings if he’s provided an upgraded, balanced roster.
That’s an acceptable theory. Unfortunately, nothing about McNair’s tenure shows he’s capable of either upgrading or balancing a roster.
I guess the Kings didn’t acquire Domantas Sabonis for a 2nd-year non-All Star and Buddy “Negative Asset” Hield, after all? Come on now.
The Sabonis Kings didn’t bring additional wins over the previous roster, nor is it (or has it) been anywhere close to balanced.
I like Sabonis and liked the trade. That said, I don’t see this roster going out and competing for a playoff (or even a play-in), next season. Buddy, for as much as I disliked him, looked almost like a competent player after leaving.
That’s on buddy. He was an absolute disaster on the kings. Fuck him.
This is a solid point. Even if Haliburton turns into an mvp 2 years from nowvthe deal for Sabonis in exchange of a non allstar 2nd year player that hasn’t proven shit is a pretty sweet trade.
facts are facts. The deal was a sweet deal in the moment and considering all historical factors of nba prospects. Could it backfire? Sure. Doesn’t change the fact that it was an awesome trade all things considered.
and for the record…. I LOVE HALIBURTON and I was pretty upset when the trade happened.
Who’s to say 100 other qualified coaches who don’t have hooker articles or homophobic articles written about them can’t do the same thing? There’s bold moves and then there are completely idiotic moves.
I had said in a previous article that after reading the tweets and other articles about his tenure in Golden State I wouldn’t consider Jackson. It’s on Monte, whomever his hired, just get it right.
Should just copy what I said above…why even argue for Jackson? All he’s proved is he was a problem and was fired. No other team has picked him up…why do you think that is? Because he’s a problem.
And why hire or argue for someone who is t good/worth it.? It’s Puke all over again.
But you can continue agreeing w Vivek.
Coaches who are successful, even if they are substantial assholes, will always get jobs, and that’s hardly a fact exclusive to the NBA.
Do you have any idea how big of a pile of shit you need to be to not get hired after having reasonable success as a head coach?
Even knowing what we know about Jackson, I guarantee that there’s even worse stuff that teams are aware of, or he’d have gotten a coaching/consulting job before now. He’s polarizing as fuck, and that’s not a thing that good teams can overcome, let alone the Kings.
There’s just no sugar coating any of it…we truly are doomed with Vivek running this clown show.
As fan we can’t vote for the choice but you can voice opinion based on game attendance.
As for my one opinion, and the Mark Jackson question- it would be a perplexing choice for GM McNair as it will label his career. He finished the late two seasons with disappointing results and advocacy for sticking with Luke Walton. Should he proceed with a Mark Jackson hire, I would insist he get a 4 year extension, were I his agent.
We have seen polling that tacitly approves a Mark Jackson hire from The Sacramento Bee and this information, along with a surprisingly vocal contingent on TNT would be used to support the selection.
As for me – The 2 unsexies – Steve Clifford and Mike Brown are fine choices and should not be dismissed. They know the game, have strong resumes and are Association stalwarts. They do not have the panache of a Ham, Lee or Hardy but that isn’t a negative in my book, just not as shiny a look. Clifford and Brown are interchangeably safe choices. For them, it is a chance to return as Head Coaches – believe me, Sacramento is no one’s first choice.
For the 1st timers, after a play-in/playoff with Wilie Green, Taylor Jenkins, Ime Udoka – a new face is highly desirable. And after all is said and done, it must be a tough sell to be on Vivek’s Kings. It’s about as ugly a legacy as there can be (at least NY has Madison Square Garden).
Clifford <> Brown
Solid points, all around.
I agree with Adam. Solid points. And we really don’t know why the final 3 are who they are.
I’m just hoping it’s not a deal of ‘these are the candidates left standing.’ That will not inspire confidence from anyone.
My attendance in past 4 years (not including COVID): 0. There, my vote counts. Fact is, Sac people will pay anything and continue to go to games no matter how crappy this team is. As long as that happens, Vivek’s making coin and doesn’t have any incentive to actually win.
My two favorite sports teams are the Kings and the Kansas City Chiefs (I used to live in Kansas City and followed the Kansas City Kings until they skipped town, became a Kings fan again when I moved to Sacramento during the Kings’ heyday).
Watching the NFL draft this weekend and then reading this report. What a difference? As usual, every pick the Chiefs made looks solid. The Chiefs haven’t had a losing season since 2012 and it looks like they’re going to keep on rolling. Meanwhile, the Kings might hire Mark Jackson. Why? Because he used to coach Golden State. Didn’t we learn our lesson with Luke Walton?
Back in the 80s when the Chiefs were in their playoff slump, draft day was always a mystery. They picked who? The Kings had some decent teams in the very early 80s. but then the early version of the Kangz emerged. Phil Ford, who they picked over Larry Bird, and had superstar potential, got hurt and was never the same. Then the team started winning just enough games to not be able to draft Hakim Olajuwan or Patrick Ewing or Michael Jordan (say hello Reggie Theus and LaSalle Thompson). Then the team moved out to California someplace and that was it.
I picked up on the Kings at that same time as well, I was a big Phil Ford fan, and I enjoyed Otis Birdsong a lot (tried to mimic his jumper), Sam Lacey (would be great in today’s game), and the great Phil Robinzine.
For the most part I have thought Monte is doing a decent job. I’ve defended him on here numerous times and always thought while somewhat true the Vivek meddling was overstated.
I originally thought Jackson was just part of the group to appease Vivek. Maybe that’s still the case. I don’t super care who else it is out of the other 6 suggested , but if it’s Jackson there’s really no defending Monte anymore. I don’t even care if they win 50 games with the guy. He’s a colossal douche bag and can’t stand the thought of him representing my favorite team. As others state, I’m out if Jackson is the choice and I will have been woefully wrong about Monte. Fingers crossed
I would call it major meddling when Vivek and Brandon chose Bagley over Doncic and surprise surprise Bagley is drafted. You can’t suck this bad every year under Vivek’s ownership and not realize it starts at the top.
I really thought Vivek like to draft Doncic。
He looks so happy in that “Dinner photo”
Are you implying that it wasn’t a dinner, isn’t a photo, or both?
Don’t disagree with the last part, but Vlade has owned that pick numerous times on the record and said he was the one who made the pick. Gave numerous reasons why, even after he was let go and could have tried to change the narrative. There seemed to be an organizational consensus…unfortunately.
As much as I dislike Vivek Ranadive, he’s not responsible for every problem the Kings org faces right now. Really, when you get down to it, Vlade Divac was a bad judge of talent who missed a lot in the draft. With ample opportunities multiple years to get it right, no less.
If the Kings are going to hire Jackson, the team should insist that he rely upon a great offensive assistant. Jackson was terrible with offense at GS, and he was resistant to change, very outdated.
If we’re just going to hire an(other) unexciting retread, someone explain to me why we didn’t just keep Alvin Gentry? It’s not like there is a massive jump in quality from Gentry to Brown/Clifford, and Jackson is a downgrade from Gentry in my book.
Like others here, if it’s Jackson, I’m done, and I’ve been going to games since the very first season in the Arco I warehouse – almost 40 years of fandom – done.
I’m ok with Brown. He’s definitely got the best resume, by a mile, out of the three. My preference was Ham, but we could do (and have done) a hell of a lot worse than Brown.
If I had a final 3, and obviously I don’t, I’d have picked Brown, Ham and Hardy.
So if Mike Brown ends up being the choice, I’m okay with it. Steve Clifford, too, but as a distant 4th choice.
Nothing about this feels exciting, not as of yet.