The Sacramento Kings faced a challenging weekend, marked by the sudden dismissal of head coach Mike Brown and a subsequent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the upheaval, interim coach Doug Christie is demanding immediate improvement, refusing any excuses for the team's performance.
The Kings' 132-122 defeat to the Lakers on Saturday came just days after the firing of Brown, the 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year. This loss extended the Kings' losing streak to six games, highlighting the team's struggles amidst the recent coaching change. DeMar DeRozan acknowledged the team was still in shock, stating they haven't had time to process Brown's firing which may have contributed to their lacklustre performance against the Lakers.
Following Brown's dismissal, general manager Monte McNair appointed assistant coach and former Kings guard Doug Christie as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. Under Christie, the Kings struggled, allowing 40 points in the first quarter and falling behind by as many as 20 points. While a late surge cut the deficit to six points, they ultimately couldn't overcome the early deficit.
Despite these challenges, Christie insists that the Kings possess the talent necessary to turn things around. "There's enough in this locker room to win ball games," he declared after the game. He emphasized the need for consistency, focus, and a commitment to team play, asserting that the team has the potential to succeed and he is there to put them in a position to do so.
Christie, known for his tenacious playing style, is applying the same expectations to his coaching role. While acknowledging the team's shock over Brown's departure, he dismissed the notion of a grace period. "I expect to win every time we step out on the ball floor," Christie stated firmly, underscoring his high standards and the urgency for the Kings to start performing.
