Pitino as Kings possibility

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

I can't think of a single reason that Pitino would leave Louisville for a pro job when his pay is comparable and his job security is air tight.

This would be interesting if it developed because it would open up another pool of recruits.

[vcjack]

The only thing I can see as attractive about the Kings right now is that the Maloofs might be desperate and willing to give Pitino free reign over the basketball side of the organization, Caus they aren't winning anything the way they are built right now.

They have a much better chance of being relocated or even contracted than making the playoffs next season (and no one in this years draft is going to make them that good enough either)

[SFHoya99]

Perhaps his job security is not air tight?

The guy just did have a huge scandal go down involving him having some kind of affair with his assistant coach's wife. Perhaps in all that mess Louisville decided that maybe it was time for Pitino to look for a "promotion"?

[CAHoya07]

May 8, 2009 8:52:42 GMT -5 vcjack said:

They have a much better chance of being relocated or even contracted than making the playoffs next season (and no one in this years draft is going to make them that good enough either)

Just as a side note, I don't think there's any chance of the Kings being relocated/contracted in the near future. I mean, the team is bad right now, but overall their organization seems fairly stable. They're not too far removed from their glory days when it seemed they were battling the Lakers every year in the playoffs in the early 2000s. They're also the only real pro sports entertainment option (I think they have a AAA baseball team) in Sactown, so they kind of have a captive audience. I don't know about recently, but they used to have a really good home court advantage.

That said, I think it would be pretty dumb for Pitino to take this job. He has had great college coaching success, and little NBA success. I think he belongs in the college ranks.

[DanMcQ]

May 8, 2009 8:52:42 GMT -5 vcjack said:

The only thing I can see as attractive about the Kings right now is that the Maloofs might be desperate and willing to give Pitino free reign over the basketball side of the organization

This approach worked out really well the last time Pitino tried it.

[SFHoya99]

Sacramento was last in attendance this year, but they weren't a significant outlier. And as CA said, they aren't very far removing from having great attendance.

[vcjack]

May 8, 2009 9:24:03 GMT -5 CAHoya07 said:

May 8, 2009 8:52:42 GMT -5 vcjack said:

They have a much better chance of being relocated or even contracted than making the playoffs next season (and no one in this years draft is going to make them that good enough either)

Just as a side note, I don't think there's any chance of the Kings being relocated/contracted in the near future. I mean, the team is bad right now, but overall their organization seems fairly stable. They're not too far removed from their glory days when it seemed they were battling the Lakers every year in the playoffs in the early 2000s. They're also the only real pro sports entertainment option (I think they have a AAA baseball team) in Sactown, so they kind of have a captive audience. I don't know about recently, but they used to have a really good home court advantage.

That said, I think it would be pretty dumb for Pitino to take this job. He has had great college coaching success, and little NBA success. I think he belongs in the college ranks.

The fanbase might be stable, but the Maloof family is not and all of the small market teams are facing a potential die off in revenue next season.

Bill Simmons wrote a great article on this during the all star break on the problems facing the Kings and a lot of other franchises

sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090227

[HeartAttackHoya]

when fielding a winning team, the sacramento franchise is very successful. Problem being of course Pittino's coaching style and full court press defense does not translate well to the NBA.

I dont see Pittino leaving unless there's more about the scandal than we are being made aware of.

[the_way]

Scandals and money from NBA aside, i don't think Pitino is happy at Louisville.

i think he probably thought he would have won another NCAA title by now, and he hasn't. his team will be rebuilding, and the team this year got demolished by Michigan St.

don't forget, Calipari is over at Kentucky getting recruits galore.

Louisville is a great job, except for a big fish like Pitino. Its a step down and always will be from the Kentucky job.

Also, i think the one and done, and NBA defectors have hurt Pitino as a coach. He hasn't adjusted. Sure he is winning at Louisville, but not in dominating fashion like he did in the 90's with all of those blue-chip recruits.

plus, the Boston thing left a bad taste in his mouth, and he still probably thinks he can coach in the league due to his success with the Knicks.

[casualhoya]

1) this story is dead as per espn.com

2) doesn't it belong in 'pro and college sports' and not in this casual hoya hoops forum?

casually.

[HealyHoya]

May 8, 2009 10:55:59 GMT -5 the_way said:

Scandals and money from NBA aside, i don't think Pitino is happy at Louisville.

i think he probably thought he would have won another NCAA title by now, and he hasn't. his team will be rebuilding, and the team this year got demolished by Michigan St.

don't forget, Calipari is over at Kentucky getting recruits galore.

Louisville is a great job, except for a big fish like Pitino. Its a step down and always will be from the Kentucky job.

Also, i think the one and done, and NBA defectors have hurt Pitino as a coach. He hasn't adjusted. Sure he is winning at Louisville, but not in dominating fashion like he did in the 90's with all of those blue-chip recruits.

plus, the Boston thing left a bad taste in his mouth, and he still probably thinks he can coach in the league due to his success with the Knicks.

The reason this type of story about Pitino has to be given some thought or degree of probability has to do with his ego.

theway basically lays it out in his post -- ego, ego, ego.

Pitino's ego is what motivates Pitino and it is what has and will continue to inform his decision making.

[RDF]

Pitino is doing what every coach does when there are other issues--see the past Month for him--extortion, cheating on his wife, etc......they CREATE a story/diversion so they can get the public relations back on the positive for them--it's the same tired game that is played OVER and OVER. Calhoun did it last Summer and did it again after the season-with his "Will I retire/stay in Storrs?" and it deflects attention from the REAL STORY at hand.

Maloofs are too busy making cameos in rap videos to run a team. The only time people care who owns a franchise is when that franchise matters. The Kings don't matter. Remember Pitino sent Reggie Theus the Maloofs way, so that is why they are being used as his deflection this time around.

[SirSaxa]

Well. looks like MSG and the Knicks are for sale. That would matter.
I can't imagine a worse owner than James Dolan.

[RusskyHoya]

I don't think Kings fans need to be told that Mitch Richmond isn't walking through that door.

Never gets old

[afirth]

May 8, 2009 9:24:03 GMT -5 CAHoya07 said:

Just as a side note, I don't think there's any chance of the Kings being relocated/contracted in the near future. I mean, the team is bad right now, but overall their organization seems fairly stable. They're not too far removed from their glory days when it seemed they were battling the Lakers every year in the playoffs in the early 2000s. They're also the only real pro sports entertainment option (I think they have a AAA baseball team) in Sactown, so they kind of have a captive audience. I don't know about recently, but they used to have a really good home court advantage..

Lifelong Sacramentan. The home court advantage is nothing compared to what it used to be. Obviously I am not home very often anymore but I always go to a game or two during Christmas breaks and it is sad. My parents will probably always feel unable to give up their season tickets, but plenty of people have. Yes, we're only 7 years removed from 2002, but a lot of things have happened beyond a bunch of losing seasons for the fan base to turn away. The statistics about attendance are also misleading because during any given game, a huge chunk of the people there are fans of the other team. The fan base really has eroded a lot. Going through a new coach every year with no foreseeable improvement in sight doesn't help, and I'm not sure there's anyone left in Sac that still likes or respects the Maloofs.

While it's true that the Kings are the only sports franchise in Sac (besides yes, the Rivercats for AAA baseball), this hasn't made the city any more inclined to support the team. The Kings have been unable to get any of Sacramento's support for building a new arena (Arco seats 17,000 and is literally falling apart). I suppose trying to accomplish something like that is useless to begin with when everyone has fallen off the bandwagon, California is stuck in horrendous financial problems, and the economy is still bad. But even 3 years ago, the city did not support a new arena.

It pains me to say this, but I will not be surprised if the Kings leave and I don't think most Sacramentans will be too upset about it.

[pws]

If Pitino takes the Kings job, take it as law that they WILL move to Vegas.

[lichoya68]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$ what else

[SirSaxa]

May 9, 2009 16:29:24 GMT -5 lichoya68 said:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$ what else

Well, we are talking about Pitino!

[hoyarooter]

The "Rivercats?" Bring back the Sacramento Solons!