Hawes In, Miller Out?

Well, it may be too early to tell whether 7-foot Spencer Hawes will be what the Sacramento Kings need to move into the future on a positive note. His build, speed and style all resemble Brad Miller. The main difference is his ability to post up around the basket.

Watching the only video of him on YouTube, I couldn't help but notice flashes of one Vlade Divac. He is a strong passer, often referred to as the best passing big man in the draft, and somewhat of a shot blocker. He has a decent hook shot (a fading art in today's game) and mid-range jumper. His main down side is his lack of mobility and athleticism, something the current roster lacks immensely.

With the kings not selecting a power forward, it is quite possible they will keep Ron Artest. The question then becomes what is the future of Brad Miller? Miller has had two very bad seasons in a row with lower scoring numbers combined with a pitiful presence in the middle. How many times last season did we see players from every position run right through the guy? Even if he is a good passer and decent shooter, the hunting/chew spitting Miller needs to improve his game or hand over his position to a developing talent. This draft choice by Petrie could possible mean a reduced role by Miller or possibly even a trade.

The only argument against that is the fact that Hawes is 19 years old and only played one season with the University of Washington. He did average 14.9 points and 6 rebounds in that one season, but is that enough to bump a one-time All Star out of the starting position, or for that matter replace him, I think not.

The team might have solved the need for a more aggressive big man in the middle, MIGHT HAVE, but even if they did it could take a few years for the kid to mature as he isn't to the likes of the beast the Blazers got in Greg Oden. With all of the experts claiming this to be one of deepest drafts since 1984 when Michael Jordan came into the league, we could have snagged a gem because big men with a fundamental game can be hard to find.

I will leave you with a quote from University of Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar on the Kings' first round draft pick.

"We are very fortunate to have who we feel is arguably the best big man in America at this level. He is not only talented, but he has a lot of toughness. We think he embodies everything that Husky basketball is all about. We expect him to make an immediate impact, We have not had someone who can step in and do the things that he does with his size. As a 7-footer, he is able to score on the low block and able to pass the basketball with a good feel," Romar said on the Huskies Web site.

Sacramento Kings New Coach

The Kings have their new man, Maloofs or Petrie calling shots?

At the end of last season it was obvious the Sacramento Kings needed a change. As a matter of fact at the end of the prior season it was obvious they needed a change. Joe and Gavin Maloof are the owners. Jeff Petrie is the president of basketball operations. Granted the Maloofs do indeed own the team, Petrie has a track record for success (see the the Chris Webber/Vlade Divac era birthed in 1997) and should have at least 60 to 80 percent of the say in such major decisions as a new coach. He is after all, the "president" of basketball "operations."

The Kings have now made a change, and just as they did in the decision to fire Rick Adelman and bring in Ron Artest, the Maloofs are the ones deciding what is best for the team on the court. With most of their time spent in Sin City, one must wonder if the gambling bug has taken over the brothers who say the absolutely love Sacramento.

Petrie, after former head coach Eric Musselman was fired a little over two months ago, was supposedly put in charge of the selection process for a new head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Days after Musselman was fired Petrie made it clear the new coach should have some type of NBA coaching experience - over 90 percent of head coaches in the NBA have at some time in their careers at least been an assistant coach. Instead, long-time friend of the Maloofs and member of the first Sacramento team in 1985 Reggie Theus was hired with only a few years of college WAC-level coaching experience at New Mexico State University.

For those of you unfamiliar with that division of college basketball, don't feel bad. This is the same division that our very own Sacramento State Hornets can be found. There is nothing wrong with the stinging Hornets of course but two years of coaching in this division, even if it may include a very successful turn-around season, does not seem to merit the lead role of the King's Court.


Theus (NBA player for 13 years, TV announcer, college coach) himself is very confident and willing to reach out the community, two of the main reasons why the Maloofs hired him. A few other coaches available included: Larry Brown, Scott Brooks and Brian Shaw. All would have been capable.

Whether or not Petrie or the Maloofs are running the show in basketball operations may not be important though as the team is now in an obvious rebuilding mode with a lineup lacking talent, no cohesive locker room chemistry and arena issues. One thing Kings fan can't continue to do is dwell on the era mentioned above. Chris Webber and Vlade are gone and so is that confident swagger they, along with us had in 2001 and 2002.

Theus might be the players' coach to bring that swagger back or he might be the one who takes the team back to the days of when he played. A time when fans showed up at the games to see the opponents' players. Either way, the Maloofs, presidents of basketball operations have gone all in.