(OBSERVER photo by Antonio R. Harvey)
NORTH NATOMAS — Sacramento Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro discussed publicly on Dec. 15 why Michael Malone was relieved of his head coaching duties. In the interim, at least until further notice, Tyrone Corbin is the Kings’ coach.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, but we feel this is in the best interest of the franchise moving forward,” said D’Alessandro.
“Michael made significant contributions to the organization on many levels. We’re thankful for the commitment he exhibited during his time in Sacramento and wish him and his family the very best in the future,” he added.
Malone spent 106 games on the sidelines for the Kings. He compiled a 39-67 record since taking over as head coach prior to the 2013-14 campaign. The Kings enter play Tuesday with an 11-13 mark on the season, which ties them for the 10th best record in the Western Conference. The Kings, however, have only won two of their last 10 games.
After losing their first game of the year, the Kings rolled on to win five consecutive games, but hit a snag when their star DeMarcus Cousins fell ill to viral meningitis. The Kings, who were at one point 0-16 over Cousins’ career, are currently 2-6 without Cousins this season.
However, the Kings have lost a few games in the worst of ways. Malone’s “style of play,” according to D’Alessandro, was becoming his Coup de grâce. The Kings’ losses to Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers on the road, the Houston Rockets in overtime, and the 5-19 Detroit Pistons at Sleep Train Arena were all winnable games.
“We have to do what we feel is right,” D’Alessandro said to the press at the Kings’ practice facility in North Natomas.
“The message is that we are not done. We are going to keep doing everything there is and we will make tough decisions. That’s what we’re here for. I am the general manager of this team and I appreciate the fact that Vivek (Ranadive) empowers me to make decisions,” he added.
Cousins, who was at practice on Monday, shared a few words about Malone’s departure, too. Cousins does credit the former coach with his progress — progression many wonder will continue now that the only coach who had his best interests at heart is completely gone.
“Everybody knows about my relationship with Malone,” Cousins said.
“I learned a lot from him and I’m thankful to play for Coach Malone. But at the end of the day this is a business. Everything doesn’t always work out the way you want it to,” he added.
Corbin ruptured his achilles tendon during a workout and is on crutches. The Kings play the Oklahoma Thunder in a nationally televised game today at Sleep Train. Corbin’s injury will not be a hindrance, he said.
“I’m gonna have to be (ready to coach). That’s the other thing with my leg,” Corbin said. “I had the stitches taken out (Dec. 15). So we’ll manage.”
Corbin was the Kings head coach when the team won the 2014 Summer League Championship in Las Vegas. He mainly coached the free agents and second-year players, including current Kings players Ray McCallum, Nik Stauskas and Ben McLemore.
Corbin, who was hired as an assistant coach over the summer, does know the characteristics of the team he has worked with through 24 games. Corbin was once a Kings player himself during the team’s 1999-2000 campaign. He was the Utah Jazz’s head coach for almost three years.
“It’s a change for the guys, we’ll try to find some calm through the chaos and we’ll try to get the guys on the same page,” said Corbin.
“We have a tough opponent coming in OKC. So we have to make sure we get the guys relaxed and getting back to playing basketball.”
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By OBSERVER Staff Writer
Antonio R. Harvey