Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry introduced Doug Christie as the team’s new head coach Friday during a press conference.
Perry explained that the decision to elevate Christie from the interim to full-time head coach was based his on-court results last season and the alignment the two share values wise.
“From afar this past season when I was sitting at home in Florida watching a lot of NBA basketball, I got a chance to observe Doug Christie take over as the head coach here in quite frankly, which was a very difficult situation, he did so with class, poise, he had a tremendous presence on the court. I watched him connect with this group of players that led to some success on the court. That connectivity was very obvious to me. Doug, in doing so through this turbulent time, posted a winning record while also improving the team’s offensive efficiency. But above and beyond all of that, Doug Christie embodies the values that we, I so deeply treasure and appreciate and what we’re going to build this organization on,” Perry said. “And I mentioned them to you before: professionalism, toughness, discipline, a defensive mindset and a selfless, team-oriented approach on the offensive end of the floor. I’ve given Doug my full support and will continue to do so and help him set the course and the vision for his long-term success and our long-term success.”
Perry expressed full confidence in Christie’s ability to establish a strong identity and lead the team with integrity through the highs and lows of an NBA season.
That being said, many fans are concerned about the head coach hiring process and how much owner Vivek Ranadive was involved in making sure Christie remained as the head coach. Perry explained the hiring process this way:
“I had some informal conversations with different people that I know. Look, you’re looking at a grizzled veteran here in terms of the hiring process of coaches. And I pretty much know all of the coaches that are out here that may or may not have been available. But in talking with Doug, the more I talked to him and the more that obviously his familiarity with this market in the market with him, and it’s just, again, the core values that he expressed, and it’s important that this relationship be a very strong relationship that we can communicate freely, openly,” Perry said. “And over the weekend, that really felt natural and comfortable to me. Because look, once we start the season, there are going to be highs and lows. I don’t care how good a team you have or how bad a team you have. There’s adversity that hits in the league. He showed me his integrity and character, how he dealt with difficulty this past season.”
He went on to say Christie would be a good candidate even if he were hiring a coach for different team: “Even if I was somewhere else, though, to be quite frank with you, this man exhibits the qualities that I would want represented in my team. And I think that is the strongest endorsement that I can give of him. Yeah, he’s special to this community and that’s not lost on me. But above and beyond everything else is the character of the man. It’s the passion that he displays for the game. I can tell that he’s going to be a coach that is always trying to find answers, learn more about his craft.”
Perry also noted that when speaking with the players they all expressed a deep respect for Christie. The positive feedback from the players reinforced Perry’s decision.
“It’s important that you feel a connectivity from the players,” Perry said.
As far as Christie himself, he shared his thoughts on the vision he has for the culture and identity of the team:
“A lot of people talk about culture and for me, habits build culture. Culture is a byproduct of habits, and we want to establish a very, very high level of those, but also the ability for our team to be a physical manifestation of this community. It’s blue collar, it’s hard working, it’s loyal. It’s so loyal that it kept a team here. And we want players that are going to represent that when they come through the turnstiles and when they leave, they know that they’ve gotten every piece of what they thought: heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears. They get it all. And that’s what this community is about.”
Say what you want about the hiring process and Vivek’s involvement, I think most fans are rooting for Doug because he is a great extension of the community and embodies what he said in the quote above.
Speaking of identity, Perry hinted at establishing one as a main goal next season: “I think this year is really about establishing an identity. I talked a lot about that last week. And a foundation of what it means to be a Sacramento Kings basketball player, and that’s really, for us in year one, is going to be our North Star or true evaluator of where we’re at. What are we going to be? What are we going to reflect on this court? We have to start building that. So, as we move through the season, when we play opponents or when you fans come, the media and the local Sacramento fan base comes to games, they know what they’re going to get and what they’re going to see in this team. So that identity has to start being established right away. And I’m confident Doug’s going to be able to do that.”
Christie said he appreciates Perry’s directness: “You can hear the professionalism, you can hear the drive and desire, but you can also hear cutting through all the bull. And that’s one of the things that I truly appreciate about him, from talking to him is I know that I’m gonna get the honest, honest. And that’s one of the things that in, in our business you don’t always get. And I appreciate that. So, yeah, we got the right guy.”
We have all seen a countless number of press conference like this throughout the Kangz of past and this is no different than any of them.
The hope, the optimism, and saying the right things.
We also all have seen much of what was said during these press conferences never come to fruition. That being said, Christie cares about this city and this fan base beyond talking points, and for that I hope he is able to cut through the bull alongside Perry to turn things around.
Watch the full press conference below.
Nice words. But nice words never won an NBA game. Players win games. So get the players because the current roster isn’t good enough.
Both the Spurs and Grizzlies seem to have followed the Kings’ lead in removing the “interim” tag from Mitch Johnson and Thomas Iisalo respectively without extensive HC searches. Will David Adelman be next?
No knock on Christie, but both of those guys have far more coaching experience than Doug does.
That difference in experience is enough to justify not conducting a search?
No, but there are some significant differences here.
The Grizz bought out Iisalo from his European deal, after a decade of coaching with lots of hardware to prove he’s good. The Grizz did this after they fired Jenkins’ assistant coaches last summer. They gave him a 3 year deal (that’s rare for an assistant) that many, at the time, saw as a trial run for the guy to take over. He was not a Jenkins hire, but a front office hire. He basically had a year’s long evaluation before the Grizz went all in with him.
Johnson has been with the Spurs for a decade and Pop’s assistant for 5 of them. He was picked by Pops (who is still Pres. of BBall Operations) and he basically coached this entire season by taking over after 5 games. He’s a Spurs home grown product from the Pops storied coaching tree.
Doug, on the other hand, was the 3rd ranked assistant (and got promoted to the front row just this season) was the only ownership holdover from Coach Walton, and had never coached anything before 4 years ago.
One of these dudes is not like the others.
Sure, the Grizz and Spurs didn’t due a traditional coaching search, but they lined up and vetted their guys correctly.
You’ve made the Grizzlies’ hiring process sound even worse. They hired Jenkins’ replacement, made him Jenkins’ assistant, and vetted him as an NBA coach while Jenkins was still the HC. Sounds pretty awkward to me.
As to the Spurs situation, the comments on “Pounding the Rock” make Johnson seem like the last twig on Pop’s coaching tree, the one no other team wanted. The preponderance of comments there would have preferred bringing in someone from the outside, like Malone or Jenkins.
Oh for sure, the Grizz hiring process was shady as all hell, but it was out in the open. They fired Jenkins’ entire coaching staff then went out and hired one of Europe’s top coaches, on a three year deal, and paying him top dollar. The writing was on the wall there. It’s almost like they knew Jenkins was under contract so might as well keep him around until they made an all in decision with Iisalo
As to Johnson, I have no reason to doubt Pop’s tree. His finger prints are all over the league. Even Sam Presti comes from that tree.
This is a cool little piece I just found on Pop’s tree.
Happy for Doug but the only vision that will count belongs to the guy that fired their predecessors and hired them . The dismissive little chap in action !
Based on the facts at hand and the apparent consistency with Perry’s previously stated desires for the things he wants in a coach…I think Doug meets all of those requirements and also comes cheap. Which regardless of how you feel about it, is a real concern and true limitation to any GM working under Vivek.
I hope he gets this team locked in on defense like Uduka was able to do with that HOU squad.
Now I’m interested to see who fills out Perry’s front office and Doug’s bench. It would be nice to have all positions filled before the draft and free agency.
I will say this about Doug, it seems the players like him, especially Domas. That could bode well for Sabonis sticking around.
I like Doug, and I hope that he gets the opportunity to be a head coach for a real NBA organization someday.
Oh! Come on. You think the Lakers are a real NBA organization being led by James?
James led them to a 50 win season and a championship . Wish Kings had something close to that success.
Unfortunately, the are what the Kangz are not. A real nba organization.
You don’t think super stars have their say/run organizations?
The Kings are nowhere near the Fakers. And that is sad.
Then give Doug a chance. You guys have already have him dead in the water. I am going to give him support until you guys put him in front of s firing squad.
Think most truly want Doug to succeed but live in the real world where 8 previous coaches and 4 GM’s hired by Vivek were eventually eliminated . Fan at your own risk . Rearranging deck chairs .
I think you’re miss reading what I’m putting down. And most other people on here. I support Doug. I want him to have success. I’m just saying that it’s very unlikely with this owner.
It’s not Doug that we’re not supporting. It’s the stupid ass owner.
So to think that the situation is going to be good is more unlikely than being bad
First, there are 28 other NBA teams aside from the Kings & Lakers. Second, it is an absolute knee slapper to try to compare the Sacramento Kings’ run of “success” to either the Lakers or LeBron.
I was being cheeky with my Doug comment. Sorry if it touched a nerve.
Christie really embodies the main values of this franchise, shilling and cozying up to the Ranadives & Co (Vlade?).
He knew what was needed to reach his goal and did what he had to do to get there. Now let’s see how he does.
I expect this fanbase to give him plenty of leeway and excuses, and Vivek chose him exactly for that reason (and the bargain salary).
You all can look bach but I tend to look forward. Doug is our head coach so let’s support him the best way possible. And IMO Sacramento is a legit NBA organization with Doug Christie as its head coach. Period.
Are you being sarcastic? Not sure how you could think this organization is legit. It’s the exact opposite.
Sure, support Doug but you really think this organization is any different w Doug at helm than any other of the myriad of coaches and GM?
I will support Doug and the team but at no level is this a legit competent franchise !
Thanks.
I don’t think my last point could be proven better than this.
Exactly. And shared vision? Between Vivek, his ego and a tad of Matina.
#selltheteam
It’s all coming together! Doug’s locked in, Perry will trade Monk… and Doug can be the Pizza Guy again! Vlade and Peja in the front row! 2002 highlights on the video! Oh, and 36-46, 14th in the lottery, and too much dribbling.
Maybe Perry should trade Monk. I have him traded to the Pelicans and a first for Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado. Jose our starting point guard and Jones starting a long side Keegan. Don’t know if this will happen but if it does”Good Trade”.
“Shared values.”
My eyes roll out of my head when I hear people allude to their values. You’re an NBA General Manager and an NBA Head Coach. Here’s the deal:
Do whatever it takes to win.
Spend whatever it takes to win.
If the owner tries to run the show, quit or make him fire you.
Those are your fucking values.
This is the same old shit because the same little shit still owns the Kings.
The only way I see any hope would be if they trade DDR and maybe Monk and get a PG and wing D. And run O through Sabs.
Look at my trade above. And it only trades Monk. We still have DDR to trade.
No trades have been made and until a good one is completed I will not give credit where none is earned . Hypothetical trades are just that .
I like it. But have doubts that this owner will allow for these trades.
I hope so, as it is the only path that could lead to success.
I think Christie is a great coach and the right hire. If he had a totally different roster this team could be good.
Totally different roster, owner and organization
IMO both Scott and Doug are working on this right now.
This is only the 8th different head coach in Vivek’s 12- year tenure. I’m sure it’ll work out this time.
Or the next, or maybe the one after that…
After just watching Adams and Sengun play together of a ton of minutes in an impressive win against the Dubs, I can’t help but wonder if the Kings could really benefit from more Sabonis and JV minutes together. If Sengun is the younger version of Sabonis, why not try it? Go hella big with JV, Sabonis, Keegan, LaVine, and point guard.
That being said, I don’t think JV has the gas to pull of 30 minutes a night. He’s averaged that just once in his career, but what if the Perry got a third physical big to eat up some minutes? Adams is a UFA, as is Drummond, Lopez, Capela, Jordan, and Wagner. That’s a lot of physical bigs in free agency that may come cheap should Doug and Perry look to play Sabonis more at the 4 next season.
This is all just spitballing, but you never know.
I think it would be an interesting approach. I don’t believe they’ve ever really tried Sabonis at the 4 for any length of time, though the idea has been occasionally discussed around town the past couple years. As folks have said on this site, there are multiple ways to keep the opposing team out of the paint. Fear certainly isn’t a bad one. And you make a good case that getting the necessary additional player to pursue this route could be done while staying within the team’s budget. Also seems in keeping with DC’s comments today of bringing a blue collar mentality into the team to reflect the city a bit more. It seems that type of team playing style would certainly resonate with the fans. That’s also been mentioned as a wish by posters here over the years.
I’d settle for these dopes running an O through Sabonis. Using his talent. Allowing Keegan’s ability to thrive etc.
Gee I don’t believe it you do have a sense of wanting to help with a solution rather than always having your glass half empty all the time. I thought you were a Lakers fan all this time.
Jack, people are always discussing the semantics about “half full” vs “half empty”, while avoiding the real question.
What the hell is in the glass?
If it smells like Zing vodka and tastes like piss, it’s probably Zing vodka.
I’m sorry I over reacted but when I used to go on the Herald I got some positive vibes. Now 90% is all negative. I understand some of it but I sure would like to go back the way it was and be able to support some positive stuff once in awhile.
The vibes are in direct correlation to the actions and results of the organization. Shoot all the messengers you want, but the message will remain the same until the organization improves its actions/results.
Nah, all good. We are all expressing opinions, emotions etc.
But if you are looking for positivity, you’re better off skipping my comments for the near future.
And honestly, this is the exact same shit that happened on the site before. Whether it was previous Vivek moves or DaMarcus cousins or Vlade, somehow people just can’t handle the truth of what the situation is.
my opinion is ignoring the bad is how you allow the bad to stay in power.
I am absolutely positive this organization is being ruined by one of the worst owners in NBA history, and I feel good about saying that.
It’s fine to have a positive attitude. It’s probably good overall for the site but just understand that this is all about what’s actually happening
This site is reflecting the shit that this team is turned into. You’ve got to let that happen because expressing our negative emotions and processing is what’s going to lead all of us to a better place.
It is what I like about this site. It is about reality and rationality. Not emotions. Not trying to pretend that this owner’s any good. Or that what they’ve been doing is actually going to work this time. You can hope for that but I don’t see any problem on the site.
Ridiculous. What I’m doing is looking at what’s actually happening. . Because that’s what it’s been. Half/all empty. This franchise has been a piece of shit and always done the wrong move since Vivek took over.
I’m supposed to close my eyes and pretend everything’s gonna be good? To me that’s completely irrational and doesn’t help with the team moving forward. What helps is holding this owner accountable.
Feel free to have your positive thoughts but don’t give me shit about being half empty. If you don’t wanna see that that’s fine.
And it’s a hell of a lot more likely that it’s going to continue being shit then magically turned around.
and it doesn’t mean that I don’t hope that the kings get good.
and I’m not a Laker fan I was simply pointing out you were rationality. The Lakers are good organization. The Kings or not.
I’d be ok with this, I think DeRozan and Monk need to go. I love Monk but I don’t see his value on this team with too many other ball dominate players and I think he deserves something better than this franchise. Or trade Lavine but that’s not happening because Vivek loves him….
I know the Lakers are going to go hard for a big man this summer, and Walker Kessler is likely to be their target. I think he to could slide in next to Sabonis. Utah is bound to be on the market this summer, especially if they land a top 3 prospect. If Perry could land Kessler before the Lakers it would be a nice chef’s kiss.
Wouldn’t Kessler mess with the spacing while on the court with Domas? Thats been a topic since Domas has been on the Kings. Needing a floor spacing big that can play the 5 defensively.
I’d almost rather have Kessler be the Center and use Domas in a trade to get that PG or Wing that the Kings need so desperately.
Yeah, there is the notion that Domas needs s floor spacing 5, but if you have 3 other legit shooters on the floor, I think you could operate the offense through Domas from the elbow and allow Kessler to be down low in the dunkers spot or setting solid screens to free up shooters. It was how Houston used Adams last night.
It’s not perfect, especially in a 3pt shooting league, but OKC and Minny are doing some similar actions with their bigs and it’s working well for them.
I’m saying this is the end all solution, but if the Kings are going to go all in with LaVine and a less defensive minded PG that replaces Keon, they are going to need someone to anchor the defense. Rim protectors that can stretch the floor don’t grow on trees and it will be hard for the Kings to find one. Lopez perhaps, but I really don’t want to see this team get any older.
The bigs for OKC (Chet, Williams) and Minny (Reid and Randle) are actual threats from distance. The bigs on both those teams aren’t the offensive hub like Domas, so they can do some different things as well.
Teams don’t see Domas as a threat from deep, and don’t cover him when he pops out for 3s.
I was referring to Gobert and Hartenstein, in a Kessler type role next to Sabonis. I also think Domas has proven he is a stretch big. He’s shot 39% the last two years from deep. That’s better than Chet and significantly better than Randle. I feel Sabonis just needs to get his volume up from deep.
I was too. Domas would be the Naz Reid/Chet type of player, Kessler as Gobert/Hartrnstein.
I just don’t think Domas has that perimeter threat type of game to make it work. It’s not his mindset. I would like it if he could do that role, just not hopeful he will.
Minny and OKC also both have high level guards that take the playmaking load offensively. Kings have nobody even close to that level. It just sucks watching what these other teams have, and then looking at the Kings roster. Just light years behind the top western teams.
Just an idea. What about Jarred Vanderbilt. He doesn’t have an offense but boy can he play defense. His motor never stops. Reminds me a little like Jonathan Issac. He is only 27 and on a really good contract.
I’ve always liked the idea of Vando, but he brings nothing to the offensive end and is a liability there. He’s probably ok as a bench defensive asset, but he doesn’t protect the rim and doesn’t bring enough on the defensive end to warrant big minutes, especially if you have Keegan and Keon out there.
I agree on the offensive end but we already have the shooters and I wouldn’t start Jarred but if need be play him in the 4th for defensive purposes especially if he needs to defend a hot shooter. I seriously believe he would be a good fit.
For $10, 11,12, 13 million dollars each of the next few seasons?
How about Alvarado, Keon, Keegan, Vando and Sabonis for defensive purposes. Vando is a good rebounder and weakside defender. Might work at least some of the time.
Can the Kings just trade DDR + Spurs 2027 1st for Jabari Smith Jr. + salary filler?
Then sign Ty Jerome with the MLE, and call it an offseason?
That puts the Kings in a much better spot with roster balance and style of play. Hell, I would add one of those Charlotte 2nd round picks for Smith Jr. as well.
I know, trading future assets isn’t what some want the team to do, but Jabari Smith would be a damn good get.
At one time I had Monk traded to the Rockets plus a second or 2 for Jabari Smith and Cam Whitmore. One reason I did a comparison check on Monk and Brooks. Monk won hands down. He could start for the Rockets at the SG or come in as 6th man. Jabari Smith at this time really doesn’t look that good for the Rockets and Cam Whitmore can’t break into the Rockets upper roster.
I think the Rockets would rather see what Shepherd has before they add Monk.
Monk and Jalen Green starting would be really bad defensively.
Fred Van fleet is and will be the starter next season . Monk might work for Smith . Rockets need him less than Thompson / Eason . Monk as 6th man gives them a better offense .
Maybe they would want Monk. I just think they want to get Shepherd involved as he was the 3rd pick last season. They might also not think Shepherd is ready, who knows.
PS I have him traded along with Dorian Finney Smith for Derosan and maybe a second or 2.
And his contract too. I have Monk traded to the Pelicans and a first for Herb Jones. Monk will get his playing time but Jones is exactly what Scott and Doug want. Doesn’t score a lot but boy can de defend. Also included in the trade is Jose Alvarado who would be our starting point guard. There might be others who might play PG better than Jose but not many and he is included in this trade.
Also maybe Perry: “If I talk about the coach, players, and fans enough, I won’t have to talk about one of the worst owners in NBA history who ruins everything he touches.
Later, Perry didn’t go on to say, “Look man, life is short, I need a GM job.”
Perry is a great motivational speaker, and none of this matters at all on the basketball court without more talent. To truly be competitive, this team needs more top end talent and there’s almost no possibility they’re going to get it this offseason, or ever, if they’re picking at 9-12 every year, or endlessly trading first round picks for mid-level players.
Like Jerry said on the recent podcast, they’re worse off in terms of top level talent than they were last season. Nobody cares about your culture when you’re old and a 39-43 win team.
Yup. Apart from trading off the valuable assets (Sabonis, Keegan, Keon) the Kings really have no way to add top end talent.
My Kangz prediction: Kings roll most of it back. Perry will add a middling PG in the likes of Tyus or Tre Jones using the MLE, then add a bunch of vet minimum deals of has beens that will do nothing to improve a flawed roster. Dario Saric, Jeff Green, Chris Boucher, Larry Nance Jr, etc. come on down! You’re the next contestant on Rearranged Deck Chairs!
We’ll be told the new roster needs “time to gel” with Doug and Perry’s new vision. By January they will be clinging onto hope of the 10th seed and Sabonis will ask for a trade. Same as it ever was.
Triano out. Just Barbosa remains on the bench.
Seems about right.
Mike Woodson is a leading candidate as lead assistant, per Amick. Eh, whatever.
What’s the problem with that?
I got no problem with that. Its the players who play the games. You can have Pop, Phil Jackson, and Spo on your coaching staff but it is the players that determine if they give 100% effort or if they are built to succeed by roster construction.
He’s the very definition of a retread. I think Woodson is a good guy and all, but he’s never really impressed as a head coach, hasn’t been in the NBA in 4 years, and had a rather pedestrian college head coaching stint at Indiana. I wouldn’t define him as a game changer, but he does come from good coaching pedigree, albeit an old school pedigree.
Should they have went for a young, up and coming guy with no experience?
Or a good assistant coach (like Cassell) that has no head coaching experience?
I think Doug needed someone that has done the job that can help him with the rigors of managing everything (schedules, staff, players, organizing, etc.). I think Woodson will be fine for that.
Hyperbole. As always. The 99.9 scenario. One of Christie’s shiny new Assistants will be taking his job in about a year from now.
This current iteration of the Kings is not even a play in team next year.
I see a healthy Pels, Rising Spurs and Blazers pass them in the standings.
Only the Suns and Jazz will be worse.
The Jazz could also end up with Cooper. So, their ceiling will be raised exponentially after next year.
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