LOS ANGELES — Doug Christie has no plans to make any drastic adjustments in his new job as interim coach of the Sacramento Kings.
After a whirlwind 24 hours after the firing of Mike BrownChristie hopes to attempt to impress the reeling Kings, who’ve misplaced 5 straight video games earlier than their recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday evening.
“As people we’re 5 items, however after we come collectively we type a fist,” Christie stated. “And that’s what I would like them to grasp.”
Christie stated he has not spoken to Brown since his firing, which drew harsh criticism from different head coaches across the NBA. Christie tried to stroll a effective line between professing his respect and appreciation for Brown and his admiration for the Kings, the place he performed 5 of his 15 seasons within the NBA earlier than changing into a broadcaster for the group after which an assistant coach over the past 4 years. . He spent 5 video games as interim coach in December 2021, going 2-3 whereas Brown was sick.
“At the beginning for me, I had an amazing quantity of affection for Mike, the truth that he stored me round,” Christie stated. “I used to be capable of be taught a lot from an unbelievable coach and develop and proceed to develop and proceed to be taught. It has actually been a blessing for me.
“I feel everybody is aware of, particularly on this constructing, how I really feel about this group, the love and respect and appreciation that I’ve for them, and all the things that occurred from my beginnings till in the present day. »
Christie’s major problem shall be making an attempt to resolve the Kings’ struggles in shut video games. Sacramento is 3-11 in video games determined by 5 factors or fewer, leading to a 114-113 loss to Detroit on Thursday.
Franchise participant De’Aaron Fox noticed his late-game effectivity decline considerably after pushing the group to record-breaking wins within the earlier two seasons below Brown. DeMar DeRozan additionally struggled within the acquisition circumstances from Chicago in a July commerce.
“Generally it goes in and typically it doesn’t,” Christie stated. “And particularly with these two, I do know they’re ready, so we put them in place and allow them to do what they do.”
Having began his profession with the Lakers in 1992 and performed two seasons with them earlier than changing into a central determine within the intense rivalry with the Kings within the early 2000s as a star for Sacramento, the significance of kicking sending him to that teaching job in Los Angeles was “I didn’t lose to Christie.
“I imply, we’re in Hollywood, so that you couldn’t write a greater script,” Christie stated. “The way it will play out, whether or not it’s a love story or a horror story, we don’t actually know but.”
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