The Kings are 9-15 to start the season, and in Sacramento, Marcos Breton wrote their "dismal record" is "indicative of a franchise whose basketball operations are a grease fire." If there were "strong ownership or executive leadership on the Kings," a civil lawsuit filed against C DeMarcus Cousins and F Matt Barnes last week "would not be as troubling as it is." But the Kings "don’t have a strong owner" in Vivek Ranadive or a "strong executive" in VP/Basketball Operations & GM Vlade Divac. Discord and off-court disruptions are "not uncommon within leadership vacuums, and that’s what we have here." Breton: "Despite some improvements and some glimmers, the Kings remain a discordant collection of personalities still giving the impression that they are in over their heads" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/11).
CAST A SPELL: In DC, Jerry Brewer writes the Wizards' current 9-14 record is a "new low" that has "left a resilient fan base either apathetic or enraged." The Wizards will have to "make another correction in the near future, and there are many who would like to see a complete overhaul," from team President Ernie Grunfeld and his front office down to the roster. Brewer: "The problem is, that level of change won’t come quickly or easily" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14).
RETURN OF THE LOGO? In L.A., Mark Heisler wondered if the Lakers can "have Jerry West back" now that the Warriors Exec Board Member has helped the team "build a budding dynasty." With Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss "preparing to nudge her brother," VP/Basketball Operations Jim Buss, to the side, it will be a "continuation of this Looney Tunes saga not to pursue West, whose contract with the Warriors is up next summer, in whatever capacity works for him." If the Lakers "want to make it work, West could fit easily with any of their configurations in an add-on position like consultant" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 12/11).
