Unable to present a quality team, it seems the Kings are trying to woo fans by hiring old favorites.
Vlade Divac is general manager. Peja Stojakovic is director of player personnel. Corliss Williamson is an assistant coach. Sacramento also tried to hire Bobby Jackson.
What about Mike Bibby?
The Kings might settle for his dad.
Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee:
Henry Bibby interview is on Monday, I'm told.
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) May 3, 2016
Marc Stein of ESPN:
ESPN sources say the Kings have secured permission to interview Spurs assistants Ettore Messina and James Borrego for their coaching vacancy
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 4, 2016
Bibby made a name for himself as a coach at USC, where he hovered around .500 from 1996 until 2004. Since, he has coached in the WNBA and bounced between the 76ers, Grizzlies and Pistons as an assistant. He’d be a pretty underwhelming hire.
Ditto Borrego, who looked in over his head when the Magic named him interim coach last season. But that’s not an easy situation for an unproven coach. Returning to the Spurs, coupled with lessons from Orlando, might have Borrego more prepared for his head-coaching job.
Sacramento’s interest in Ettore Messina was already known, and he’d be a solid hire. But would he leave San Antonio for this job? Unlike Bibby and Borrego, Messina comes up for most openings.
The Kings continue to search far and wide for a coach, and that’s smart. Get smart basketball people in a room and ask how they’d fix the franchise. Take notes.
Then, eventually, hire one of them.
