Losses don’t sap Theus’ optimism

It was Halloween, hours before he was to make his NBA head coaching debut, and Reggie Theus was brimming with optimism.

Even if there was little to be optimistic about.

The Sacramento Kings were missing star point guard Mike Bibby, out with a thumb injury. Their best player, Ron Artest, was serving a suspension that would force him to miss the first seven games. Rookie first-round draft pick Spencer Hawes was battling injuries while trying to adjust to the rigors of the NBA.

But Theus, a former UNLV and NBA standout, refused to believe his first foray as an NBA coach was as doomed as the Titanic's maiden voyage -- even if he could see the iceberg right in front of him.

Fast-forward to mid-April. The Kings (38-44) finished the season Tuesday with a 124-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, failing to make the playoffs. But Theus is even more optimistic today than he was Oct. 31.

"My marching orders were to get the team to play hard, clean up the locker room and gain back the respect of the community, and we've done all that," Theus said. "Sure, you want to get to the playoffs, but the focus is on being a better team.

"We're not at the bottom of the league. Not even close. We're a team with great promise and a great future. I have no doubt we're heading in the right direction."

The Kings' victory total marked a five-game improvement over last season, and owners Joe and Gavin Maloof think they made the right choice in hiring Theus from New Mexico State to replace Eric Musselman.

"For a rookie coach, he did well," Gavin Maloof said. "The players played hard, and they never gave up.

"It's always disappointing when you don't make the playoffs, but we're going to be patient with Reggie and keep trying to get better. Overall, we're pleased, but he's got a long ways to go."

Winning five more games isn't cause for a parade through downtown Sacramento. It's a starting point in Theus' bid to return Sacramento to the level it was at a few years ago, when the Kings were routinely advancing deep into the playoffs and trying to reach the NBA Finals.

To get there, Theus will need better players. The Kings need to improve their rebounding, get tougher physically and find a point guard who can consistently run the offense.

Theus points out that because of Bibby's injury and subsequent trade to Atlanta, he was forced to use five offensive systems this season.

"We played 13 or 14 different lineups this year," Theus said. "It was tough to establish continuity."

While the Kings proved to be resilient, they were inconsistent. They would lose at Portland, then come back the next night and beat San Antonio at Arco Arena. They would lose at home to lowly Minnesota, then the next night beat the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

"We have a bunch of scrappers," Theus said. "I'm proud of the way our locker room has been all year. I came in pretty strong. But I figured I could always lighten up."

He did to a degree, and his players stood behind him, even though he allowed no cell phone use on the team bus and instituted a curfew on the road.

"We've had our ups and downs, and he had to figure out how to talk to us," veteran forward Mikki Moore said. "But, overall, he's done a good job."

Second-year guard Quincy Douby said: "I didn't have a lot of expectations going in. I just went in with an open mind. But (Theus) knows the game. He's gotten everyone to play hard for him, and he's done a good job, especially for a first-year guy in the Western Conference."

Theus admits he made mistakes, including leaning too much on his veterans and not giving his younger guys extended minutes to aid in their development. But he said he was flexible and became a better coach.

"Sure, I've made mistakes, but I've learned not to repeat them," Theus said. "I think I've shown an ability to adapt."

He also gained an appreciation for just how hard it is to coach in the NBA.

"I've had many sleepless nights," Theus said. "To be an NBA coach, you have to have an element of toughness. You have to coach.

"I have an absolute respect for the drama I caused my coaches when I played, and I apologize."

Theus said he's ready to forge ahead and continue the building process.

"I believe in what we're trying to do here," he said. "It has tested me. But there's a level of professionalism here, and we've got a good staff that works hard every day to make this franchise better.

"I found that you can win in this league by outworking people, and I am proudest of the fact that our guys never mailed it in, that they showed up every day ready to go to work.

"That's something we can definitely build on for next year."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.