Source: Sacramento Bee

While watching the Basketball Hall of Fame inductions Friday in Springfield, Mass., I couldn't help but wonder how much better off the Kings would have been if Don Nelson had been approached about the coaching vacancy after Rick Adelman was released at the end of the 2005-06 season.

In the ensuing six seasons - none of which included a winning record - Geoff Petrie hired Eric Musselman, Reggie Theus, Kenny Natt, Paul Westphal and Keith Smart.

Nelson, who was retired and living in Maui at the time, left a private voice mail message for Petrie expressing his interest in the opening, but he never received a return call.

Now, whether you wanted to interview the innovative, dynamic Nelson or not - and he went on to coach the Warriors to the 2007 NBA playoffs - there are certain things you don't do in this league. You don't fail to return phone calls to future Hall of Fame coaches. That's just bad form and really bad manners.

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