Reggie Theus was fired by the Sacramento Kings today as the bloodbath of NBA head coaches continues. Theus became the sixth HC axed in the first 25 games following P.J. Carlesimo, Eddie Jordan, Sam Mitchell, Randy Wittman, and Maurice Cheeks. The Kings were 6-18 losing 10 of their last 11 and 9 of 10 on their home floor. Sacramento’s 114-90 loss to the Knicks Saturday night was the last straw. Assistant Kenny Natt has taken over the Kings.

 

In my opinion, unlike some of the other firings, this was a case of owner expectations exceeding the talent that was put on the floor. The Kings have been among the league’s least talented teams for20several years and their best player, Kevin Martin, has missed all but nine games with an ankle injury.

 

Theus played 13 years in the NBA and was a King’s legacy, scoring the franchises first basket after coming to Sacramento in 1985. In his first coaching job, Theus restored New Mexico State to instant respectability in the college ranks. Last year, in his first year as coach of the Kings, Theus should have got coach of the year consideration for an overachieving 38-44 season.

 

This is quite clearly a mistake by the Maloof’s who still rue the day they fired Rick Adelman who won 395 games and led the Kings to eight straight playoff appearances.

Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi, John Wooden, Red Auerbach, Casey Stengel, Billy Martin, and Scotty Bowman all rolled up into one couldn’t win with a roster composed of a used up Brad Miller and to put it kindly “journeymen” Jon Salmons, Benno Udrih, and Bobby Jackson.

 

Theus beat the Memphis Grizzlies Marc Iavaroni to the chopping block as the Grizz have come out of nowhere to win fours straight. Iavaroni figures to be next in what will likely be a long tenuous year for losing NBA head coaches.