NBA Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive is the "latest poster child for bad ownership," as he "continually makes personnel decisions that guarantee chaos," according to Barry Tramel of the OKLAHOMAN. In the past six months, Ranadive has fired coach Mike Malone "despite an encouraging 11-13 record" and hired George Karl in February to a four-year contract before now contemplating the "idea of replacing" him. Ranadive also has hired Vlade Divac as the team's VP/Basketball & Franchise Operations despite already having GM Pete D'Alessandro. Ranadive additionally has "flirted with the idea of trading franchise cornerstone" F DeMarcus Cousins. Tramel: "That is the hallmark of a bad franchise. No leadership. No plan. Haphazard decision-making, with multiple reversals (NEWSOK.com, 6/30). The latest news report was a Yahoo Sports report that the team was considering approaching Univ. of Kentucky coach John Calipari to be both coach and GM of the team, though Ranadive yesterday called the report "categorically untrue" (SACBEE.com, 6/30). ESPN’s Amin Elhassan said everything Ranadive has done since he purchased the team, “other than getting them a new arena ... has been an unmitigated disaster.” Elhassan said Ranadive hired Divac to a position above D'Alessandro and then "tried to push him out the door." Elhassan: "He now wants to hire someone above the head of the guy he just hired? What are we talking about here? What in the world?” (“The Herd,” ESPN Radio, 6/30). VICE.com's Sean Newell asked, "What the hell is going on in Sacramento?" (VICE.com, 6/30). In N.Y., Jonathan Lehman writes the Kings are a "flaming mess of a franchise" (N.Y. POST, 7/1). ESPN 's Mike Greenberg said the Kings are “literally like a joke.” ESPN's Mike Golic said, “You scratch your head at the team they’re putting together.” Greenberg: “It’s one thing to be outside the box, but the box has to remain within view. If you can’t see the box, you’re probably too far outside the box” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 7/1).
THE GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER: Calipari yesterday refuted the Yahoo report, saying he would remain at the school. In Lexington, John Clay writes Calipari "at some point ... is going to leave" UK, but it "has to be the right fit." Clay: "There's too much wrong in Sacramento. ... It's a dysfunctional organization" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 7/1). ESPN’s J.A. Adande said “there are giant red flags" with the Kings, beginning with the fact they just gave Divac the “keys to the franchise about three weeks ago and already they’re apparently ready to move on.” Adande: “There is too much turmoil within that franchise.” ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez said, “As much of a mess as (the Kings are), how long ago was the Golden State Warriors situation kind of messy? You can convince yourself you can win a championship even with the Sacramento Kings.” Adande: “And if you change owners” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 6/30).
