Since Kings head coach Doug Christie vowed on Tuesday that his team would “get it right” following a shaky start to the season, Sacramento has lost back-to-back home games against the Nuggets and Hawks. Wednesday’s defeat to Atlanta was especially one-sided, as the Kings fell behind by 44 points before ultimately losing by 33 and extending their winless streak to four games.
Immediately after sitting down for his post-game media session on Wednesday, Christie referred to Sacramento’s compete level as “shameful” (Twitter video link via Sean Cunningham of KCRA 3). He then proceeded to express his frustrations with his 3-9 club over the next 12 minutes as he fielded questions from reporters.
Here are a few of the most notable remarks from the Kings’ head coach:
On the Hawks’ 33-8 advantage in fast-break points on Wednesday:
“(That) says that you’re not getting back, you’re not communicating, you’re not building walls, you’re not being physical. … Listen, this ain’t about anything but competition and effort, period. You can play that team 10 times and I doubt you would get a result like that – especially after this, play them nine more times – not if you’ve got no damn pride.”
On representing the Kings the right way for fans in Sacramento:
“Put on the jersey, represent it properly. These people need to come into the turnstiles and they need to be proud when they leave here about the product that they see, not f—ing embarrassed. Unacceptable, period. It is. This is a simple one, this ain’t even hard.”
On the Kings’ struggling starters and whether he’s considering lineup changes:
“You’ve got to. I mean, those guys are -31 (DeMar DeRozan), -38 (Domantas Sabonis), -34 (Russell Westbrook), -20 (Dennis Schröder). You’ve got to.
“They need to look at themselves and say, ‘When we’re competing at a high level, we’re playing against anybody.’ We were (within) three points or whatever it was going into the fourth (quarter) with Denver. Milwaukee, you compete all the way to the end. And then you just do that? That’s wild. And that’s not anything except tying your shoes tight and saying, ‘You know what? I’m about this life and I’m going to represent properly.'”
On subbing out his entire starting lineup just over two minutes into the second half:
“There’s people that will actually do things the right way. Might not be as talented, but guess what? That’s when the hockey shift came in. We’ve got some young kids. You know what they’re going to try to do? They’re going to try to compete. Now, Max (Maxime Raynaud) is not as talented as (Kristaps) Porzingis yet and he got into trouble, and Nique (Clifford) got back-cut. OK, but it ain’t from a lack of effort. It ain’t from a lack of want.”
On the Kings’ lack of physicality:
“I was embarrassed. I wish I could’ve put on the jersey. At 55, I would’ve showed you better than that. At least I’m going to use all six fouls. I can’t move, but I’m gonna foul the s–t out of somebody. Like, people just running around, running down the lane, not grabbing nobody.
“And then (the Hawks are) just grabbing, holding, pushing so much that the refs are like, ‘That’s how they play.’ Because that’s how we should play, and the refs should say, ‘That’s how they play. Can’t call them all.’ But our (fouls are) blatant because we ain’t touching nobody. We’re not physical. So as soon as you do touch somebody, it’s a foul. And then you’re looking at the ref crazy. Nah, can’t say really too much to the refs, because the refs can’t help you on this.
“This is all an individual saying, ‘We bringing it.’ And they can, they have. And I’ll be damned if they will.”
On how he would like his veterans to respond:
“I would like them to lead. … Because we’ve got young players in there watching this. And I’m going to text every one of the young players, ‘That’s not acceptable. Do not even think about even trying to equate that that is OK. Do not do it. I will not let you do that, because that s–t, it ain’t cool.’
“They need to lead. What do you want for your team? What do you want for this city? If you want something more than what that was – because that was trash – then lead them. Talk to them. Demonstrate for them. Go out there and show them.
“Listen, maybe you’ve only got 10 minutes of, ‘Man, put it down.’ Well, if that’s what you got, then that’s what you give. Not floating for 30 and playing for 10. Play the game. The game is to be respected. There’s a way to play this game (and) that ain’t it.”
Same as usual for this organization. Christie will get his 2 years in until Vivek fires him
He’s already lost the team.
Fire him immediately. College coach type mentality. Asking Lavine and DeRozan to hustle back on defense is like driving in the opposite lanes of traffic going 100 MPH. You would never do it, and neither will they.
God forbid an NBA coach actually expects their star players to earn the millions of dollars they get paid for each year.
Just another problem of the modern NBA. Most players and teams don’t want to play defense and the only thing that matters is offense. No one enjoys watching games with both teams scoring 130+ playing ASG level defense.
Christie busted his butt on D all the time
DeRozan to the Wolves is a great idea in solving that problem.
Fire him because his players suck?
You can’t blame Christie. He can Only work with what our Lame A** GM has given him to work with !! And who are you going to replace him with ?? Another Nobody ?? With no Experience ?? Who ?? What’s your Solution ??
Of course I can blame him. He doesn’t give Ellis deserving PT, but then cries about effort from his star players? He was never qualified to begin with. What has he accomplished as a HC? Instead of going outside their “culture” and hiring a guy who might be more suited for a rebuild, they just promoted within. Roster is flawed, no doubt. Vivek is clueless on how to run a basketball team. I’m indian and I can say this full conviction that he gives Shahid Khan a run for money as the worst brown owner in sports.
If I’m them, I would bite the bullet and trade everyone and try to get as many picks for the next 2-3 years to see if a rebuild is in store. I get what Christie is trying to accomplish, but to certain guys (DeRozan/Lavine/Monk) he might be just another no credible coach who is going to tell them what to do at this point in their careers.
There’s nothing no one can do with that poorly constructed team
Sabonis is the only 1 of those 5 that can play defense and he is out of position. He is not a center but a PF. Trading your center to cut payroll made no sense. Kings are a bottom 4 in the west.
Sabonis playing defense…
His lack of defense has been everyone’s biggest gripe for his entire tenure in Sacramento…
He tries with his T-Rex arms but it’s not good enough so go to PF
When they signed Westbrook…
Yeah, if they didn’t have Westbrook they’d be….just as awful.
Lol, if they didn’t signed Westbrook they’ll be 1-11
It must be pretty comical for the players to hear their head coach preach defense and toughness, then refuse to play any of the team’s best defenders while running out some mind-boggling dumb rotations. Players aren’t stupid and know this man couldn’t coach his way out of a paper bag.
That said, the Kings are such a mess from top to bottom that no head coach could get this roster to produce results. And we don’t even know if he’s the one actually calling the shots; who could be dumb enough to keep running Schroder out there for big minutes? So it would not surprise me if the front office or, better yet, Vivek have their fingerprints all over this.
Eaxctly why is Ellis not in the starting lineup?
Because Christie has a hard-on for Russell Westbrook.
And what has our glorious GM done ?? Wasted an Entire Offseason trying to get one player to come here, while any of the other FA that might have helped this team, got signed by other team, then at the last minute signed Westbrook, and later on Precious !!
We have way too many guards !! If I was any of the starting five on this team, I would Demand a Trade Immediately !!
Christies Actions in the past days Show a high degree of desparation. He will get Fired no matter what He does and so He tries desparate measures.
The people who let Fox go without a plan how to replace him need a scapegoat.
And which idiot could believe deRozan + LaVine could work after it did not work for three years in Chicago?
DeMar DeRozan is a bench player now. Levine is a 3rd option Making max money. Sabonis is a PF playing Center. Westbrook is a 3rd string now. This team is cooked and has no direction at all. I would say tank but they never draft well and when they do they trade the players away!!!!
Kings don’t commit to any core. Getting Sabonis to pair with Fox. Was suppose to be the future. That went out the window. Imo Sabonis is better than Webber. Yet at least the Kings committed to building around Webber. Its not just about spending money. There are NO quick resolutions here. Committing takes time and perseverance. You have to believe in your core. Kings management doesn’t believe or understand that.
I would trade for Claxton someway. He and Sabonis imo can thrive. He is not expensive and gives you what your team needs. Move DeM while he still has value. And keep Zach at SG. Then you have to hit on draft picks ……. In Sacramento you HAVE to hit on the draft every year. I am available by the way !!!!! willing to relocate.
two players who floundered in Chicago are floundering in Sacramento .. shocking development
Trade Murray or DeRozan for a older (28+) defensive shot blocking C starter. Sabonis to PF.
Waive Eubanks, Precious, Stevens, Plowden and Cardwell maybe
Sign some young talent 1-5. Not one player the age of 18-22 years old.
Sign Ulrich Chomche, Tyler Smith, E Bates, Jaylin Martin, Hood-Schfino or Warren or Jazion Gortmen
Yeah, “compete level” – add it to the lexicon, because we really needed another term to describe players not giving a damn.
Christie is rounding into a typical NBA HC. Good at making post-game statements that constitute a great analysis of the game. Brown delivered a beauty last night as well. The only problem is these guys were hired as HC’s, not game analysts.
Probably don’t say you’re gonna trade the team and expect effort at the same time. Also word of advice, quiit trading your best players for worse players.
Kings collection of other teams problems – They had to know they got first offense and no defensive players. They lack a PG, SF, F, C – they only hope to outgun other teams offense to win and we see results.
They need a C, F and SG that can play defense – put Sabonis back at PF where he would thrive.
It’s amazing that a team which was already desperate for shooters and defenders doubled and tripled down on their poor roster construction by bringing in first DeRozan and then LaVine. Same old problems magnified more than ever.