Reggie Theus knew all this when he talked his away into the job. He knew the co-owners were boyish men who love to play, who love to make millions, who love to win, who love attention, who love their Kings.

Joe and Gavin Maloof aren't full of surprises. They aren't much for suspense. They could never work for the FBI or CIA, for that matter, because they're seemingly incapable of keeping secrets.

In candid conversations with local media outlets the other day, Joe Maloof revealed the following:

• That a disconnect exists between ownership (and the front office) and the head coach, which has the same effect as a vote of no confidence for Reggie Theus. And, by the way, John Whisenant – Monarchs general manager and former head coach – is expected to be named on an interim basis if a change is made.

• That the organization waited too long to commit to rebuilding.

• That the immediate goal is to develop the young players while establishing an identity and competing for a playoff berth.

• That the offense works like a sedative.

• That the perimeter defense doesn't work at all.

• That the empty seats are killing them.

• That the economy is crippling everyone.

Now, while I have very little in common with billionaires or even millionaires, I disagree with very few of Joe Maloof's points. I also appreciate his willingness to vent to us media types, even though the prudent move would have been to summon Theus privately and remind him he won the job with promises of a disruptive defense, an aggressive, entertaining offense and a consistently energetic, unwavering effort, etc., etc., etc.

But putting Reggie's immediate future in jeopardy only 10 games into the season? With Kevin Martin, Francisco García and Quincy Douby hurt for most (or all) of them?

This is where I part ways with the chatty billionaire. The timing is lousy. The timing is all wrong. The reservations within the organization about Theus' long-term future notwithstanding – and the list of skeptics is lengthy and expanding – placing this much pressure on the head coach is unfair and unwise. Unfair because Theus works hard, engages the community, is genuinely liked by most of his players, and is only in his second season; mistakes are virtually guaranteed. Unwise because the Kings (4-6) have shown glimpses of promise, at times tantalizingly so.

Spencer Hawes, still too young to buy a beer, is 7 feet of lean, chiseled potential. Jason Thompson is developing nicely. Bobby Brown has had his moments. With John Salmons, Brad Miller, Beno Udrih, Martin and García as significant elements, the Kings should threaten – threaten – for the postseason. That eighth and final playoff berth should be dangled like one of the area's heirloom tomatoes, but without Theus going splat if the Kings return to the lottery, if his Kings fulfill the other, more reasonable expectations.

There is no excuse for failing to chase loose balls, contest shots, defend the ball. And there is a lack of offensive identity. Weren't the younger, more athletic Kings supposed to play faster? What happened to the triangle offense? Why does the corner series – introduced to enhance movement, cuts and passing – often result in Salmons or Udrih reverting to one-on-one play as the shot clock expires? Or players running around, dazed and confused?

If Joe Maloof needs to calm down, Reggie needs to loosen up. He was so tight during Friday's loss to the Phoenix Suns that his voice squeaked. He yelled so much, his jaw twitched. He micromanaged every possession and interrupted most of the early offense opportunities. The result was a lethargic, dispirited, discombobulated performance that, until the final minutes, frustrated fans awaiting any reason to cheer.

"I just think we have to be unified right now," Theus said when asked about the recent drama. "There is too much negativity around here. I'm a positive person. We can play better. We have a bright future, with the young players we've brought in, with the good younger vets we've got. But we can't get distracted, and I'm going to do my best not to get distracted."

Reggie played for UNLV. He knows the odds of survival are slim. An inexperienced coach (with an inexperienced lead assistant) of a rebuilding team usually sets the table for his successor.

"To this point, we can't make an evaluation," offered Petrie, once again tempering the words of his emotional owner. "Our core has not been together yet. Not that this is so unusual around the league, but for us, when we're trying to incorporate our younger players in while trying to compete, it becomes more (relevant). We have to look at the whole picture."

In other words, give it another month, Joe. Then talk to us.

Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.