The Kings' inept existence in California continues

Sporting News, The, August 31, 1998 by David Moore

Mitch Richmond walked through the doors of the Sacramento locker room seven years ago after being traded from the Warriors.

One of the first players to greet him was Spud Webb. He went up to Richmond, shook his hand and uttered the phrase that still hangs over the franchise.

"Welcome to hell," Webb said.

The Kings haven't sunk to the same, historic depths as the Clippers. And they certainly can look down on the Mavericks, the worst franchise in professional sports in the 1990s. But if being mired in mediocrity season after season, unable to generate any hope of improvement, is hell, the Kings qualify.

The latest casualty of this environment is Eddie Jordan. Last Tuesday, the coach drove to the club's offices with his two sons, expecting a brief, uneventful meeting with vice president Geoff Petrie. Instead, he was fired.

"I got a shot, but it's all about wins and losses," says Jordan, who was 33-64 during his tenure. "The second half of the season was tough. And even though we had the personnel problems and some other situations, it didn't go well.

"I'm disappointed because I really was looking forward to getting started with the new players. I was looking forward to being with the Kings when they finally got over the hump. I thought I was going to still be here, but it's not going to happen."

Over the hump? Sacramento is set in the valley and still hasn't been able to get over the hump. The Kings moved from Kansas City to Sacramento for the 1985-86 season and fans are still waiting to witness a winning season. The Kings haven't won more than 39 games in a season since the move, have made the playoffs twice in 13 seasons and were 27-55 last season.

Petrie talks about how Jordan put his heart and soul into the job. He doesn't want to discuss the specifics behind Jordan's firing. But here's one specific that's hard to overlook: The Kings lost 26 of their final 29 games last season. That's bad even by Sacramento standards.

The decision to fire Jordan was made by general partner Jim Thomas. He gave the impression the move would have been made sooner if not for the lockout. "I would say that after all the losing, I'm probably a lot less patient than I was three years ago," Thomas says. "I feel the franchise has gotten to a point where winning is absolutely critical. And we've got to find a way to win. We did not win and it just was not acceptable to me."

It's a long, losing legacy to overcome. Richmond played hard for the franchise, but he came to accept Webb's definition and wanted out--he was traded to the Wizards for Chris Webber at the end of the season.

Forward Corliss Williamson is a free agent. Resigning Williamson, who averaged 17.7 point and 5.6 rebounds last season, is one of the club's top priorities once the labor dispute is resolved. It won't be easy. Williamson liked Jordan and he wants, assurances that the Kings are headed in the right direction before he returns.

"When the organization makes a change like that one at this point of the year, it's got to make you wonder," Williamson says. "They fired a coach that I had grown comfortable working with and playing for and it makes you wonder what the future holds.

"I just want to play for a title and I'd like for it to be in Sacramento if possible. But stability, vision and direction are a big part of winning championships. I just don't see it right now. Hopefully, I will see it soon."

Petrie is preparing a short list of candidates. Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and Suns assistant Scott Skiles are near the top. Two other assistants, Indiana's Rick Carlisle and Charlotte's Paul Silas, will receive consideration. Projecting any one of these men to make a difference is difficult.

"When E.J.'s replacement comes on, if I were to return, that would be the fourth coach (counting Nolan Richardson, his coach during the 1994-95 season) I'd have played for in four seasons," Williamson says. "How many changes do you have to make if you know what you're doing?"

Williamson may have answered his own question. The Kings' track record proves they don't know what they are doing.

Welcome to hell.

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