Former Sacramento Kings' announcer calls out Vivek Ranadive over Mike Brown's coaching replacement: "It's a mess"

On Friday, the Sacramento Kings fired Mike Brown amid a tough start to the 2024-25 season, with the team in 12th place in the Western Conference. The move has generated considerable criticism given that Brown had won the 2022-23 Coach of the Year award.

On the heels of Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone ripping the franchise for firing Brown via phone call, former Sacramento announcer Grant Napear has weighed in. In a clip he posted on X, he aimed at Kings owner Vivek Ranadive.

In the video he dubbed as "Grant's Rant," Napear called out Ranadive for making the franchise the laughing stock of the NBA, pointing out that Brown was just given an extension less than a year ago.

Additionally, he didn't like Ranadive giving Doug Christie the interim tag, questioning why the team didn't give Jay Triano the interim coach position.

"'Let's give Doug Christie a chance to coach the team," Napear said on Saturday. "The hell with Jay Triano, the assistant head coach who's got NBA head coaching experience, international competition experience. I can go on and on. 'Let's give it to the fourth guy on the bench. Yeah, that's a great idea.'

"How's this team going to make it to .500 this year and make it into the play-in? I really don't see it. It's a mess. "

"It's a disgrace," - Former Sacramento Kings announcer Grant Napear rips owner Vivek Ranadive while echoing criticisms of coaches around the league

After the Sacramento Kings fired Mike Brown, various NBA coaches from past and present, criticized the Kings organization.

From Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who was fired by Ranadive before leading Denver to an NBA title, to George Karl, there was plenty of backlash about the Kings' decision.

Napear echoed their criticism, unloading on the Kings organization while saying that he feels bad for the fans.

"How about Michael Malone, the head coach of the Nuggets who was fired by Vivek, said 'No class, no balls,'" Napear said. "Rick Carlisle, coach of the Pacers, ripping the Kings. Jordi Fernandez, the assistant coach to Mike Brown last year, the lead assistant doing a nice job with Brooklyn, he criticized the Kings.

"Steve Kerr criticized the Kings. Former coach George Karl criticized the Kings. Again, it's a disgrace. And I've said this time and time again, I feel so bad for you, the fans."

While Christie has been an assistant with the franchise since 2021 when he transitioned into a coaching role, this will be his first stint as a head coach.

According to The Athletic, the expectation is that Christie will remain interim coach for the remainder of the season, and the team is expected to evaluate the coaching market in the summer.