SACRAMENTO-

The Sacramento Kings have announced their head coach, Mike Malone, has been “relieved of his head coaching duties.” The decision was made late Sunday, after yet another loss, to the Detroit Pistons.

Malone was hired on as head coach just last June, for a three-year, $9.4 million contract. Most local fans said they were surprised by the sudden firing, and that he was not given a fair chance.

“My personal opinion, it wasn’t fair,” fan Jamin Marks said.

“I couldn’t believe I saw that, actually,” fan Kyle Chan said.

“It just sucks that he’s gone,” fan Shelvin Chaudhary said.

The Kings have lost eight of the last ten games. Many fans attributed those losses not to coach Malone, but to the absence of star center, DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins has been out for the last nine games, due to viral meningitis.

“I’m not sure if any coach would have been better without DeMarcus Cousins,” fan Marcos Perez said.

However, some argued he should have been able to produce results, with or without Cousins. The fact is, they are now tied for 10th in the Western Conference.

“The Cousins situation was a big reason, but I wouldn’t blame it on the coach that Cousins got sick. But then again, coach should be able to coach his players without his main star,” Chaudhary said.

Many speculate the biggest reason for the dismissal is philosophical differences. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and GM Pete D’Alessandro have publicly stated in the past they prefer faster play over Malone’s defensive coaching style.

“They say you shouldn’t hire a coach before the general manager, and that’s what our owner did, and it’s kind of backfired a little,” fan Terance Dass said.

“It’s a business on his end too. So if he [Ranadive] feels like that person is not getting it done, bring somebody to get it done too,” fan Jamin Marks said.

In the interim, assistant Tyrone Corbin will take over as head coach.