This team faces some massive decisions, on and off the court.

If this current ownership group is fair dinkum about building a championship contending unit, now is the time to bite the bullet and start getting serious about hiring a proven, quality head coach (and giving him absolute say on basketball decisions, not leave it in the hands of muppets like that silly team committee of theirs), go after some of the college talent that's out there and be prepared to spend some money on quality imports, not to mention whoever is worth pursuing in free agency. Get a better (and full-time) strength and conditioning coach and start building a proper support structure around the team.

That's the team aspect - the second part is promotion of the game in Sydney. It is at an all-time low right now. Based on the newspapers and television, you'd hardly know the Kings even existed. That has to change. They've got to spend some money on marketing and promoting the game with the understanding that it won't be a quick fix. Crowds were down, membership was down, and it's not a surprise based on the lack of marketing and promotion.

Unfortunately, it's obvious that the current ownership group isn't really serious about the Kings as anything other than a toy for them - there's no leadership, no apparent strategic plan, nothing other than an attitude of "well just be glad you have a team to support."

Not good enough anymore.

"If this current ownership group is fair dinkum about building a championship contending unit, now is the time to bite the bullet and start getting serious about hiring a proven, quality" leader for the owners. (fixed)

I'd be more concerned about the re-signing of White than Madgen or even Garlepp. He's even more one-dimensional than Madgen & aside from being the only Sydney player in the team (assuming Ogilvy is gone), he doesn't bring much that isn't available from other players that have a more rounded game. Of course he'd be cheap which from my observation has always been the Kings onwers' main priority.

why would you want cadee at the kings when you could get college kid for half the price and he's not going to win you any games

If Kevin White has been re-signed I will not be attending another Kings game and he MUST have family members among the Kings owners.

Then you won't be attending any more Kings games Anon #464399


They announced after the Crocs game on Saturday that he'd be back next season.

Sheer genius.

Good idea, maybe Hugh Greenwood would want to play for his former coach and a few others. HoldenVF.

Damien Cotter to be announced as coach shortly I am hearing...

Well, the bar has officially been lowered for next season and quite possibly beyond. Kevin White, really...give a young kid with some POTENTIAL and TALENT a go!
Who is making these decisions and what would be the reasoning? What is the criteria to be a Sydney King?
Does management value a winning pedigree and attitude and pro basketball experience? Clearly not.
If these factors are consciously overlooked then I expect signings this early to have some serious talent and potential! Madgen would be the only guy who comes close to being overly talented in that group.
Please get somebody in management who has a clue! Is there a NBL Draft that I'm not aware of or are the Kings just TANKING for the hell of it!
Cody Ellis...I need more than half a season to be a believer. He is very similar to Garlepp IMO. So this appears to be our power forward combination for at least next season.
The Kings are trying to build a team around a 'core' of players who have done very little winning. Garlepp is the most experienced of that group and he was a career backup player until Heal elevated him to starter and look how that has worked out for him. I don't care how nice those guys are, Sydney deserves a WINNING team to support. Have some pride within the organization. The Kings shouldn't be in do or die games with the Wollongong Hawks.
The last 5 yrs of the Kings (before the FirePower fiasco) were 2 grand finals losses to the Melbourne Tigers and 3 straight championships before that.
When I think of a 'good core' I think of Martin, Redhage, Knight, Wagstaff - Vukona, Boucher, Corletto, Bruton, Abercrombie, Pledger, Webster - Goulding, Walker, Tomlinson, Greer, Ballinger - Martin, Conrad, Forman, Davidson, Gruber - Adelaide look formidable for years to come - Townsville are headed in the right direction with Markovic, Norton, Blanchfield, Crawford, Holmes.
The first 4 signings are quite an average 'core' compared to those guys.
Let's compare the core group of the Goorjian era - Bruton, Smith, Barlow, Sheridan, Knight, Kendall, Wheeler, Stiff, Hinder young talented locals like Luke Martin, BJ Carter, Graham Dann.
If you go back further back in Kings history you have 'core' players like Heal, Nielsen, Melmeth, Drmic, Mcgregor, Trahair. These guys are Boomers or Australian junior representatives, accomplished players who have been in big games.
Now the Kings are moving forward with a core group of Madgen, Garlepp, White and Ellis.
Let's hope some much bigger names are added to the list. Guys who are experienced, battle tested and have winning resumes and attitudes.
Sick and tired of supporting mediocrity. Sydney is a world class city and the Sydney Kings have a proud history, it would be great if management realized this and acted appropriately. No excuses, no more sob stories, just get it done! Perth have made the playoffs for close to 30 years straight!

Damien WHO!!! How about a career head coach from a professional basketball league. Like Perth and Adelaide hired last season! Rocket science is it!?
Well if there is any truth to this "caretaker" role then I expect caretaker prices for admission and ultimately caretaker performances and results. Joke!
Kings management need to take a good look in the mirror. Cheating the public and cheating the game.
The Kings will never be able to compete in a tough sporting market with a "caretaker" attitude.

Not to labour on the Kevin White re-signing, but is he actually that good a defender? I appreciate that he gives effort, but I've seen him beaten off the dribble numerous times. Being a poor shooter as well means he can't even fill the "3 and D" role some coaches seem to covet. He may well be a great guy to have at training and in the locker room, but as others have said it's really hard to project what potential and further development he has.

Cotter may have a great track record at the junior level but we need someone who is proven at the professional level. The Kings have had two 'experimental' coaches since the return to the league, now is not the time for another rookie head coach.

You do realise that Damien was a successful SEABL coach for many seasons don't you?

White is an ultra-cheap 10th man who does excellent work in the community and is a Sydney boy. No one is suggesting he's anything close to NBL standard, especially offensively, but he works hard, has a great attitude and will play D for you.

He played way too many minutes last season (15mpg) but provided they limit him to spot relief here or there (say 5 minutes a game max) I don't have a problem with him as a tenth man/glue guy.

Do people forget Bevo did the same job before coming to the NBL (NSWIS HC) that Cotter now completes along with his Kings AC, Opals AC positions... hmmm how quickly people forget. & yes like pointed out above... DC also coached SEABL quick successfully at Knox for a number of years.

I agree that Bevo would be great. Especially if he can bring Martin to Sydney and back to NSW... along with some other big names/ hard working players.

However I do not think we should write the likes of Cotter off and claim its because they are a junior coach etc. This is rubbish. Marty Clarke did struggle, this does not mean the others will necessarily. Each must prove they can coach at the NBL level, if the club believes they can and they are the best available candidate (for the price the club can pay) why not go with them.

I'd rather see a Cotter, Watkins or other get the gig over a S.Heal/ I.Robilliard type who had little to no coaching experience (or at least successful experience).


Names like Ian Stacker, BJ & so on... will not be interested, they now hold more secure jobs (with somewhat less focus on week to week wins/losses). Bevo may also fall into this category, however, I think there is still fire in the belly from to have success in Sydney. Geordie is too loyal to the Hawks, he lives and breathes Wollongong basketball. They'd have to offer something amazing to get him to leave his home/ history.

I do find it very interesting that players e.g. Kev White are being signed without a new coach in place. General coaches like to sign their own fringe players.

Also I would really like to see Shannon Seebohm stay on as a development coach, not so fussed with Hudson (but he will be there).

Anyhow... time will tell. Interesting times ahead for the Kings.

Bevo is obviously the preferred choice, because frankly I have never heard of Damien Cotter.
There is really only one person for a job like this and that person is Brian Goorjian.
The new 'caretaker' coach will always feel as though Goorjian is breathing down his neck. Less than ideal working circumstances.
40% of a team that didn't make the playoffs have been retained and the current season hasn't even finished yet!!!
Of those 4, 1 is not NBL standard, 1 hasn't completed a full NBL season, the other just completed his first season as a full time starter and the main signing is inconsistent and overrated.
The new coach definitely has his work cut out for himself.
Great job management.
The other 6 signings better be Cederic Jackson, Sam Young, AJ Ogilvy, Joe Ingles and Brad Newley and Matt Nielsen.

Goorj asks for way too much money... he's guna be in China until he has had enough...

Anon, had you heard of Bevo before he took the reins at the Razorbacks & then the Spirit, then finally Perth where he had some success???

Wilson Sting... you are getting a bit defensive about this. Damien and Bevo could completely change the Kings culture almost overnight (if they choose to come).

Yes, I had heard of Bevo, largely due to the rise of Andrew Bogut and the Emus that won the junior world championship.
Damien Cotter, not so much.
This club is in dire straits.

Bring back Heal lol

Bevo won't be interested if the money isn't good (too many moves and stress for family already with West Sydney debacle) plus if it feels like you are there as a stop gap for Goorjian he wouldn't go either as length of contract is important.

But aren't the Kings deluding themselves even mentioning Goorj? No one in the NBL can afford him and I think they are daydreaming so best to forget about any stop gaps and hire someone for the long term.

The Kings have contemplated Goorj several times before and he's earning a lot of money in China.

I am pretty sure anonymous that Cotter doesn't know who you are nor gives a flyin rats arse about your opinion.

I wouldn't blame Bevo for not wanting to take the Kings job unless they offered him some serious coin. He has achieved enough to not be associated with any 'caretaker' role that management seem to think will be enticing for any credible head coach.
The fact that they publicly said that is idiotic!
Therefor the guy who gets the job will most likely be a guy who is trying to get a foot in the door as a head coach as opposed to an experienced, credible, accomplished career coach.
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for! Coaching is no different.
Who knows where Moose Robbilliard was plucked from and Heal had financial troubles with legal limitations and was a cheap option who brought some exposure for the club. Worth a shot at the time but it was definitely a short sighted gamble considering Heal's lack of experience and poor record with the Dragons.
Now it looks like it's going to be a no name coach who has little to work with at the moment. Not a good combination.
I don't see this being an enticing situation for a player like Damian Martin. Why would he want to take a step backwards? He plays for a professional outfit, in front of a full house, is a fan fave, has already won a championship in Perth, has a chance to win another one this year and most likely contend for more in years to come.
Move to Sydney to play with guys who don't know how to win, in front of a half empty stadium with unprofessional leadership. Doubt it.

People say that Goorj is out of the Kings price range, how much would he be asking? And what is an average salary for an nbl coach?

Personally i hope the Kings go through a proper selection process for the coach.

See who is out there, interview a few, preferably atleast 1 or 2 with NBL experience, and see who comes out on top, if thats Cotter great, but need to have atleast a few to compare him to and make sure you are getting the best available person.

Cotter could be the next Bevo, but also the next Marty Clarke, so need to atleast put him through the process, see how he stacks up against other coaches out there, not just assume he will be good because he has done well in his other roles.

If possible id try and get someone like Lemanis, Joyce, Hurley to sit in on the panel, even as a non voting member, to give advise help asking coaching specific questions.

They had the proper selection process in place with their last 2 failed appointments. Nepotism.
Why would it be any different now? Thats the owners poor decision making again / still.

Turner started it with Moose and the Hudsons of the world continued it. Once Wavish left the leadership all has turned into ego driven owners want to be self important. Heal continued the nepotism and whats the chance Hudson junior will be an assitant yet agin.

Personally id try to get guys like Smyth, Stacker, Woolpert, Westeover to apply along with the assistant coaches like Cotter. Also try and get a few top assistant coaches around the league interested.

I'd approach it like this:
Build a committee of about 5 people, 2-3 from the Kings management/ownership and 2-3 basketball/sport coaches id target people like Hurley, Lemanis, Joyce,Barnes (any other non active NBL coach with good record/pedigree) or even a AFL/NRL coaching legend like a Sheedy, Parkin type, who may not know basketball, but they know coaching, leadership, man management, etc and a voice from the outside who can give a logical, reasoned recommendation.
Then get them all to vote after each round of interviews to get the best candidate whoever that may be.

As good as Bevo is, i probably wouldnt through truck loads of cash at him, if he would coach for a normalish NBL wage then great, he would be a great one to target, but if not then move on.

Would someone like Smyth be any worse than Bevo? The current rule interpretations would really suit Smyths style, which is reasonably similar to what Perth are doing this year, and was very successful when he had a top notch roster to work with.

Would the current Wildcats team be doing any better had Bevo stayed, i dont really think so, possibly quite different style, etc, but doubt they really would win any more games than they did, hence why i dont beleive throwing truckloads of cash at Bevo or Gorj is the answer, especially if there is other experienced coaches out there (like Trevor Gleeson was last year), or top young assistants who may be the next Bevo.

The most important thing is though, put all candidates through an equal/unbiased selection process and get the best candidate. Never been a fan of just targeting and throwing money at someone, an AFL example has Mick Malthouse acheived more than Brett Ratten at Carlton? the throwing money at the coach can give you no real benefit. (Not saying Mick is the problem or its his fault, but in reality they would have had the same record or very similar if they just kept Ratten, and would have saved a hell of a lot of cash in the process) Sometimes these coaches who have had success get way overhyped, Roosy may be another one like this at the Demons, probably could have got Neil Craig to acheive similar to what he will in the next 2-3 years, and me throwing Smyths name around as a potential good candidate could be an example of that too, my point being dont just throw money at a big name, can work, but doesnt always, put them in the mix with all aplicants and get the best, no matter what there name is, get the one who proves to the panel they are the best!

hence why its VITAL to put them all through a good process to get the right person.

D4444 - 100% agreed.
Sydney Kings, please distance yourself from the Home and Away guy that sits court side. He is not Jack Nicholas. Never will be.
Some of the decisions that were made this past season were ridiculous. I had to google nepotism - not surprising. A little boys club!
In a day and age where Australian professional sportsman are more frequently signing multi year, multi million dollar deals, the Kings seek a 'caretaker coach'. No wonder Heal resigned and didn't give them the satisfaction of sacking him!
The funny thing to me is how the club tries to cover up all the blunders over the season, mainly with some amateurish Facebook posts because they rarely got in the paper or on the news. Those articles may work on the casual basketball fans of this hashtag generation but it doesn't fly with knowledgable basketball fans who have common sense!
The jig is up Kings management, bring back Goorjian and stop being tight arses!
The game is dying a slow, painful death in Sydney.

Not a personal attack on the H and A guy, just highlighting how amateurish the whole game night presentation is in general. We get it, he's a basketball fan but he has been a part of the furniture for yrs now. Give it a break! How about fixing the overall product and eventually more prominent public figures will follow.
I'm more concerned with the first 4 players that have been signed and the rumors of another rookie head coach. What's the rush???

Like I said, I'm more concerned with the 'core' group that has been signed up before the playoffs have even begun. You know the playoffs that we were supposed to be in!
All this talk of 'were ready and raring to go' before the Hawks game. Lost all 4 games to the Hawks!!!
Played with no heart, no guts, no pride, no fight and then the Kings re-sign close to half of that underachieving team. Idiots!
Add to that rumors of a rookie head coach. Idiots!

The players they have locked in aren't going anywhere anytime soon BMF.
Madgen is trying to follow in Heals footsteps and be the face of the Kings.
Garlepp has been a career 8th or 9th man, he would be over the moon that the Kings have signed him.
Ellis is soft and looks sloppy, seriously doubt many other teams would be cueing up to sign him in a hurry.
White is a hustle guy who AT BEST rounds out your roster, definitely not a valued 'core' guy.
If you are going to sign players before a coach is appointed AJ followed by Young make the most sense! Physical specimens like both of those guys are not often seen in the NBL.

Who do they get with no Bevo.

Who's available?

Not guna happen.

Wont be Bevo either

Rumor is Bevo has already turned the Kings down.

The way this abortion of an ownership group works, expect them to go for the cheapest option possible.

Who would want the Kings job anyway, considering how chronically under-resourced the club is. This is an enormous mess that will take years to fix.

Can't blame Bevo for not being interested and yes they are very under resourced it is embarrassing. Little things, like spelling/grammatical errors on the Facebook page. That costs nothing. Once in a while is ok but they drop the ball repeatedly! I don't see the Sydney Roosters Facebook page riddled with mistakes. They post videos, interesting content, not selling singlets at a $20 discount. The Roosters give away cars and the Kings have a closing down sale.
Interesting times ahead, things must be really bad for a guy like Rob Beveridge to decline an offer. That says a lot in itself, he is a proven winner as a coach. Good on him for knowing his worth I say. He knows a sinking ship when he sees one. Great job opportunity but it may only appeal to a select group, a John Rillie American type guy or a cheap local alternative. How much do you think Kings ownership will be offering for the job? What's the going rate for a coach in the NBL?
Thank God footy season is here!

Next step could be a volunteer coach lol

Talk is Goorj is outta contract in one more season. Interim coach for that season with someone like cotter being asst to goorj for the future.
Why would the kings spend so much on a coach when they get mediocre players now because the owners are tight arses. Is Koch still involved?

Surely they can find somebody better than Damian Cotter!? Or is he related to somebody on the Kings board too?

Please tell us what's wrong with Cotter?

Whats RIGHT with him? Who is he? What has he done of note? Not with kids or in the ABA but at the professional level? Nothing that I know of and I have been following the NBL for years.
Look at the 4 coaches in the finals. 3 of them are career coaches and Chris Anstey who is relatively new to coaching but has played professional basketball in Australia, Europe, the NBA and the Olympics.
If this Cotter guy gets the gig Kings ownership clearly have NFI and they are not serious about winning. It is either a very poorly managed hobby or they may be receiving tax benefits. Whatever the case may be, the game of basketball suffers in Australia's biggest city.
Who is Damian Cotter going to be able to recruit really? The only way a proven veteran winning NBL player will come and play for him would be if the Kings offered them a great deal which is highly unlikely it seems. Hopefully the 4 guys they have signed are relatively cheap acquisitions.
What would be the pros and cons for a guy like Mika Vukona (for arguments sake) be to come and play for Damian Cotter and the Kings:
Great city.: Pro.
Cost of living: Probably Con.
Proven coach: Con.
Proven/talented teamates: Con.
Winning culture: Con.
Home court advantage/crowd support: Con.
Professionalism: Con.
Team ownership: Con.
The general outlook does not look great for the Kings moving forward but at least a signing like Brian Goorjian or another proven, tested, PROFESSIONAL, CAREER basketball coach is a step in the right direction. By professional career coach I refer to a guy who has dedicated his life to coaching, not a guy who has works part time with kids where the results are of little consequence to his livelihood.
I want a guy who knows that this job may be his last! That is the level of desperation this club needs right now, not a guy who is local, convenient, the easy option and 'will do' for a year. The time is now, they need a complete makeover not a guy who was Shane Heals assistant coach.
Who are some NBL free agents that the Kings could target? Any good college kids finishing up?

"if a few things completely out of his control go the other way, he'd have three titles in four years."

That is very disrespectful to the Breakers.

Shoulda woulda coulda! the fact is they lost. there are so many factors to a sporting contest, whatever they are you play with them. you wildcats fans are astounding!!!

Breakers with a three peat, respect.

Beveridge with one ring is relevant though :P

According to your rationale Koberulz, Bevo and the Wildcats wouldn't have beaten Wollongong for the title in 2010 if Ty Mckee didn't get injured!

Bevo has already declined to coach the Kings go to Ozhoops for reliable info

You won't see it here.