Monday, December 01, 2008

By Ailene Voisin
The Sacramento Bee

last updated: October 06, 2008 02:34:31 AM

Reggie Theus is one of the fortunate ones. He still has a job. He also has health insurance, a nice car and a nicer car, and homes in Northern and Southern California. If not the perfect life, the Kings head coach certainly enjoys a comfortable existence.

What he lacks is security.

Entering his second season, Theus, still boyish after all those losses (and Ron Artest), is guaranteed a paycheck for the duration of 2008-09, but subject to a club option for the third and final year of his deal. If he succeeds this season -- more on what that entails shortly -- the Kings will exercise the option and possibly offer an extension during the offseason.

And if he falters? Again alienates players with curfews and biting public critiques? Fails to develop the youngsters? Continues to call more plays than Broadway schedules in a decade? Is unable to establish a team identity?

There will be no sympathy bailout. This is a decent opportunity and a good job, if not a particularly easy one. Theus should come out of this with his mortgages covered.

With the Western Conference not nearly as formidable as in recent seasons, a reasonable expectation for the Kings is this: They compete for a playoff berth while implementing a distinct, discernible style, and cut back on the player/coach theatrics.

In a larger context, Theus' primary task will be to advance the agenda, which simply means conforming to Geoff Petrie's theory of evolution.

Kings pass. Kings cut. Kings score. Kings win.

Kings occasionally even defend.

Last season's victory total (38) was, in fact, fairly amazing considering the Kings ranked near the bottom in assists, rebounds and most significant defensive categories. The major sticking point, of course, was the assist-to-turnover ratio.

"I'm not going to predetermine anything," Petrie said Friday. "Things happen as the season goes along. Some of the areas we can improve on from last year ... cutting down on the turnovers. There were some periods of offensive stagnation. Defensively, we're going to have to get better. But we do have a fair number of versatile players. ... We're going into the season believing we can compete for the playoffs."

Translation: Retro is in.

While there is no comparing the current roster to the more accomplished, aesthetically appealing squads whose players notched assists while bending over to tie their sneakers, Petrie's most recent personnel moves -- particularly the additions of youngsters Jason Thompson, Bobby Brown and the contract extension to Francisco Garcia -- suggest a clear sense of direction.

The roster is starting to again resemble a unit, not a collection of individualists who think the triangle offense consists of three players standing around, demanding and then dominating the ball.

"Less one-on-one this year," said Kevin Martin, nodding forcefully. "That's where we can make our biggest improvement. If we move the ball better, play unselfishly and like a team, we can be good. We have the people now who can play like that now."

Theus, though still admittedly conflicted between an up-tempo game and "smash mouth" basketball, understands the situation. He won the job only after campaigning exhaustively and convincing Petrie and the Maloofs that he was in accord with the style-of-play issue. Like we said, he's a bright man.

"I've gotten a better understanding of what Geoff envisions," the personable Theus said Friday. "I think training camp has gone smoother this year, probably because of personnel. We're definitely more athletic, and we have length. We have depth. The questions I have won't be answered until we start playing and we see how quickly the young guys develop.

"And I've grown a lot, too."

His rookie mistakes decreased notably by the game. He managed timeouts more efficiently as the season progressed. He stopped overreacting to player errors with abrupt and embarrassing benchings. He probably looked the other way a little too often with Artest, but there aren't textbooks for coaching the wonderfully gifted but emotionally erratic former King.

Even his misunderstandings with his young stars were minimized, though not entirely eliminated; and that has to change.

"Reggie made a lot of progress the last month or so," veteran Brad Miller said. "The little things, dealing with players. If players are tired, then maybe you say, 'We don't practice today.' Those little things matter.

"Reggie has a year's experience now, and I think that makes a difference."

Uncertainty about his job security nonetheless will linger. The first losing streak invariably ignites the chatter for coaches with one-year deals.

"I can't worry about next year," added Theus, who originally was disappointed that his 2009-10 option was not exercised at the end of last season.

"I just want to do a good job so Geoff and the Maloofs want me back. Hopefully that takes care of itself."

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