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Smart takes over as Kings host short-handed Bucks

Jan 5, 2012 - 7:55 PM (Sports Network) - When it comes to player vs. coach, the player usually wins.

Just days after a blowup with enigmatic second-year center DeMarcus Cousins, Paul Westphal was fired as the Sacramento Kings' coach.

Assistant Keith Smart, the former Warriors mentor, will pilot the team as they return to California's capital to resume a torturous stretch of three games in three nights against the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks.

"I want to thank Paul for all of his effort on behalf of the Kings," president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said. "Unfortunately, the overall performance level of the team has not approached what we felt was reasonable to expect. I wish him the best in his future endeavors."

In two-plus seasons as head coach of the Kings, Westphal amassed a paltry record of 51-120 but the straw that broke the camel's back was the much-talked about rift with the talented Cousins.

On New Year's Day, Westphal reached his boiling point with Cousins, who reportedly demanded a trade, and sent the 21-year-old home before the team's game against the New Orleans Hornets.

Despite the acrimony, Westphal remained classy while exiting.

"I would like to thank the Maloof family for the incredible opportunity they gave me to participate in the attempt to bring the Sacramento Kings back to prominence," Westphal said in a statement. "While the job is far from finished, I am proud of the strides we were able to make."

The Kings were routed in their final two games under Westphal, losing by 17 points in Memphis on Tuesday and following that up with a 27-point setback in Denver on Wednesday. Al Harrington was one of five Nuggets players in double- figures in that one with 15 points as Denver cruised, 110-83.

Cousins, coming off the bench for a second straight night after the blowup, scored a game-high 26 points, while Marcus Thornton ended with 23 points for the Kings, who dropped to 2-5 on the young season.

"There's no doubt that was a kick in our teeth, you can't hide from it," Westphal said. "I still believe we have the makings of a good basketball team."

The Bucks, meanwhile, fell to 0-2 on a five-game road trip on Tuesday in Salt Lake City when Al Jefferson recorded 26 points and 10 rebounds, lifting the Utah Jazz to an 85-73 victory over Milwaukee.

Drew Gooden ended with 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who fell to 2-3 on the season. Stephen Jackson tallied 16 points.

"It's tough. We can't win scoring 70-80 points," said Milwaukee head coach Drew Gooden. "We've got to be in the high 90s to beat these teams. That comes with executing the offense and we shot 30 percent from the field tonight. You can't win ball games that way."

Milwaukee played without Mike Dunleavy (illness/groin), Beno Udrih (shoulder) and star center Andrew Bogut (personal matters) and expects to be without all three again tonight.

Bogut's Australian manager, Bruce Kaider, refused to pinpoint the nature of the personal issue Bogut is going through but teammate Brandon Jennings told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the big man had returned "home," which could mean Australia or Milwaukee.

"It's personal so we are certainly not going to make it public, but Andrew needed to deal with it and will be mostly likely back on court in a couple of days," Kaider told an Australian newspaper. "The Bucks were really kind in giving him time to get this resolved. It was one of those issues that if it's not dealt with could become bigger than needed."

The Bucks, who have won three straight in Sacramento, will finish their trek with visits to the LA Clippers and Phoenix.