LOS ANGELES — Doug Christie rapped alongside to the lyrics of Ice Dice’s “It Was a Good Day” Saturday morning because the music echoed by means of USC’s Galen Middle gymnasium on the finish of his first set as a USC interim coach. Kings of Sacramento.
Greater than 30 years after Christie grew to become a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakershe discovered himself in Los Angeles, making ready to face the Lakers in his first recreation since changing Mike Brown, who was fired Friday afternoon earlier than the staff’s flight to the West Coast.
It has been something however season for the Kings thus far, No. 13 within the Western Convention with a 13-18 document – having misplaced 5 straight and 12 of their final 17 video games.
Nonetheless, kings hold Monk Malik — who credited Brown’s “ardour” within the franchise’s turnaround over the previous two seasons — stated the teaching change led to a change in power throughout the penalty shootout.
“All of the vibrations have been excessive,” Monk stated. “Everyone seems to be comfortable. Everybody is able to play tonight.”
The All-Star large man was a part of the group able to play. Domantas Sabonis. He missed Sacramento’s last recreation Thursday resulting from sickness, when the Kings failed to guard a 19-point lead within the second half. 114-113 loss for the Detroit Pistons.
Sabonis didn’t be part of the staff on its flight to Los Angeles as a result of he was uncertain to play resulting from sickness, however organized his personal journey Saturday morning to be a part of the primary pitch with Christie.
“I acquired right here and went straight to the sphere,” Sabonis stated. “We’re all targeted on profitable the sport. However we clearly know we did not do our greatest. And we have to do a greater job. Me, as one of many leaders of the staff, I I’ve to be sure that occurs. Now we have to win each recreation we are able to.
After the Pistons recreation, Brown referred to as one other of Sacramento’s executives, De’Aaron Foxfor clogging Jaden Ivey on a 3-pointer within the last seconds with the Kings up 3. Ivey made the three and the following free throw, costing the Kings the sport.
Earlier than Brown was fired, he led the Kings’ observe Friday and was seen by reporters conversing with Fox on the court docket.
“We have been speaking about in-game issues, what we’d do in the direction of the top of video games,” Fox stated after the shootaround. “I had completely no concept that this little dialog – it’s fully regular – would have been the final with him as head coach.”
Brown was knowledgeable of the choice by Kings basic supervisor Monte McNair, who referred to as him after the 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Yr had already left the observe facility to arrange for the flight to Los Angeles.
Sabonis, who stated he was sleeping when the choice was made, referred to as it “stunning.” Monk stated he came upon about it on
Fox stated he was “stunned”, however was warned. “I came upon a minute earlier than everybody else,” he stated.
After Brown signed an extension within the offseason by means of 2026-27 — including greater than $20 million in assured cash to what he was already owed — Fox credited the continuity of the Kings group.
A reporter requested Fox on Saturday if he felt any “stress or guilt” about the best way issues unfolded so shortly with Brown.
“Stress or guilt? I imply, clearly everyone knows the job we have now,” Fox stated. “You could be traded at any time. Launched. Lower. Fired. No matter it takes. I imply, I would not use the phrase ‘guilt.’ However that is the character of our job.
“However I imply, clearly, signing his extension in the summertime, we felt like we would be collectively quite a bit longer, however that is the choice they made. However on the finish of the day too, he is nonetheless “An enormous a part of being an NBA participant, being an NBA coach, is these items can occur, however these contracts are assured.”
Christie spoke to the staff earlier than their flight to Los Angeles and once more on the Galen Middle. His message?
“Come out and stick collectively and struggle and simply be us, be who we’re and let’s flip this round,” Sabonis shared.
And Monk had his personal message for Kings followers who noticed their staff finish a 17-year playoff drought in 2023, solely to see their coach fired two seasons later.
“Sorry, followers,” Monk stated. “We’ll flip the tables. That is it. Brief and candy.”
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