Decision To Fire Kings Head Coach Stuns Fans And Players
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Kings head coach Michael Malone is out of a job. It's a decision that stunned both fans and his star player.
We went to Sleep Train Arena to get an explanation from Kings management on the surprise firing.
Kings General Manager Pete D'Allesandro waved goodbye to reporters at the Kings practice facility after explaining his goodbye to head coach Michael Malone.
D'Allesandro said the decision to fire was all his.
"I'm the GM of this team, right? And I appreciate that Vivek empowers me to make decisions," said D'Allesandro. "Vivek empowers his people to do their job. I'm doing my job."
D'Allesandro said he fired Malone because he wants a faster-paced playing philosophy in full force when the Kings open the new arena in 2016.
"We want to get in that arena and we want to be a compelling product. We want to be a compelling product," said D'Allesandro.
Kings' star Demarcus Cousins found out about the firing on Twitter Sunday night.
"I think this surprised everybody," said Cousins.
Cousins flourished under Malone after signing a long, lucrative contract with the Kings.
"This is just another stepping stone we have to get over as a team, so our best bet is to stick together..." said Cousins.
Ty Corbin is the interim coach being asked to deliver the new look Kings management is after.
"I look forward to the opportunity. I'm not crazy about the way it happened, but I'm excited to work with this group of guys and be back in this organization," said Corbin.
A Kings franchise is finally freed from threats of an imminent move away.
The team is here to stay, but Michael Malone is suddenly not.
"Let's open the floor up and see what we can do," said D'Allesandro.
D'Allesandro was pressed to say whether this would be a long tenure for Corbin, but he wouldn't comment.
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