Sacramento Kings extend head coach Keith Smart’s contract through the 2012-13 season – NBA Update
With the city council all set to pass the financial deal for the development of new arena at Sacramento tonight, the Sacramento Kings have decided to add further stability by extending the contract of Keith Smart through the 2012-13
season.
On Monday, president of basketball operations, Geoff Petrie made the announcement and praised Smart’s contribution;
"Keith has done a terrific job of taking control of the direction of the team," he said. "He is active, engaged and working hard to develop our young players along with a complimentary style of play."
Keith, who coached the Golden State Warriors to a 36-46 record before being let go last season, was serving as an assistant to kings coach Paul Westphal when the shortened season started. However after a poor start and a public
confrontation between the coach and centre DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings front office decided to fire Paul and promoted Smart as a head coach.
Although the Kings have not had any incredible success, the players seem to be responding to Smart’s style of coaching and in the last two months or so; they have become a fighting unit. Smart knows that at 12-26, the situation
is not ideal, but with side gaining experience, the future looks bright;
"(The players) have responded pretty well to what I've been doing. They take constructive criticism and take a pat on the back well. We are trying to build something that will last a long time -- not a quick fix deal."
The kings have indeed one of the most exciting rosters in the league. Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton and Cousins were always thought to be the pillars on which the franchise was going to stand on, but with the emergence of rookie
point guard Isiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette, the Kings seems to have all the bases covered.
The only thing they need is experience and a leader to guide them. They do not have one on the court at the moment, bur Smart has proven that trait in his career, and considering that the players are responding to him, the move
is just what the franchise needed.
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