A look at Paul Westphal's two-plus seasons as Kings coach:
2009
• June 9: After Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis turns down their offer, the Kings hire Paul Westphal as their 11th (non-interim) coach in the Sacramento era and 23rd in franchise history. He signs a three-year contract that pays him $1.5 million (among the league's lowest) annually in the first two seasons. The third is a team option at $2 million.
• Nov. 2: After an 0-3 start on the road, Westphal wins his first game as Kings coach, a 127-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Arco Arena.
2010
• Feb. 23: One day after Tyreke Evans and Spencer Hawes express concern in The Bee about Westphal's substitution pattern, the coach benches Hawes for one game against Detroit, saying: "I saw (in the paper) where he's having a hard time understanding his role. He should understand it (after) tonight."
• April 12: The Kings pick up the third year of Westphal's contract, meaning it will run through 2011-12. "This just shows we have confidence in Paul," said Gavin Maloof, "You know. Through thick and thin."
• April 13: The Kings lose for the 11th time in their final 12 games of the season to finish last in the Pacific Division with a 25-57 record.
• Nov. 29: Westphal kicks rookie DeMarcus Cousins out of practice after the coach and center argue.
• Dec. 22: Westphal suspends and fines Cousins after the center makes a choking gesture toward Reggie Williams of the Warriors.
2011
• Feb. 13: Westphal keeps Cousins from traveling to a game in Phoenix after the rookie gets into an altercation with teammate Donté Greene. Cousins is fined $41,000.
• March 23-29: The Kings win four games in a row, matching the longest win streak for Sacramento under Westphal.
• April 13: The Kings lose to the Lakers 116-108 in overtime to finish Westphal's second season 24-58.
• Dec. 31: Following a player-coach meeting after a 114-92 loss to the New York Knicks, Westphal says Cousins asked to be traded. The coach sends Cousins home before a New Year's Day game against New Orleans.
2012
• Jan. 4: The Kings fall to 2-5 for the season after getting blown out in Denver 110-83, a defeat Westphal calls another "kick in the teeth."
• Jan. 5: The Kings fire Westphal after he compiles a 51-120 record in a little more than two seasons. Keith Smart, who was brought in as an assistant coach before the season, becomes the 24th coach of the team.
– Victor Contreras
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