The Sacramento Kings head coach was part of the franchise's glory years. Now he's coaching during a historic low for the franchise.
Doug Christie wore the Sacramento Kings uniform during the "cowbell hell" era. Also the high moment for the franchise -- which saw the 2002 Western Conference Finals appearance.
Christie eventually took over as head coach here, with Sacramento envisioning a dip back to its glory years by turning to a franchise legend.
But here's where the Kings now stand: Losers of 14 straight games, the latest a 121-93 debacle at the hands of the Utah Jazz, who are also massively under .500 but by nearly 20 games. The 14-game slide matches the franchise's previous worst in 1971-72 when they were the Cincinnati Royals.
Has Christie reached the breaking point?
One member of the Kings appeared to already let his emotions boil over. DeMar DeRozan threw a water bottle down in disgust against the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night. Though the veteran looked composed and scored 20 points on the Jazz.
But back to Christie, he tells Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee that's he's seen the good, bad and ugly of being a Sacramento King.
"I’ve been here for the absolute best of the Sacramento Kings, the best record, and now you deal with this,” said the head coach who played for the team from 2000-05. “There’s a median in there that takes us to the playoffs and makes our people proud, and we just keep working daily to make those strides to get to that point."
Christie acknowledges that the Kings have delivered multiple chances to win games -- and better their dismal 12-44 mark in the process.
“There are many games in this that we could have and should have won, and we didn’t. It happens and streaks go both ways," Christie said. "I’ve been a part of it as a player and now as a coach."
Christie, though, chose to be in a calm state despite the losing results that's weighed heavy on the fanbase and veteran players.
"One thing I know is that adversity does not define you, but it clarifies some things about you as an individual and us as a collective because when you face that you come together in brotherhood, you communicate, you compete at a high level and we will be better for it in the long run," Christie said.
With a record like the one Sacramento owns, one is led to believe changes will occur. Except general manager Scott Perry and Christie revealed that this is a growing process Sacramento is implementing.
"I won’t stop coaching them," Christie declared. "I won’t stop being positive with them and showing them that you look at other teams that have struggled and now all of a sudden they’re sitting in really good positions.”
Sacramento won't play again until Feb. 19 at home against Orlando.
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