A look at Paul Westphal's two-plus seasons as Sacramento Kings coach.
2009
June 9 - After Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis turns down their offer, the Kings hire Paul Westphal as their 11th (non-interim) coach in Sacramento history. He signs a three-year contract that pays him $1.5 million (among the league's lowest) annually in the first two seasons. The third is a team option at $2 million.
Nov. 2 - After an 0-3 start on the road, Westphal wins his first game as Kings coach with a 127-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at Arco Arena.
2010
Feb. 23 - One day after Tyreke Evans and Spencer Hawes express concern in The Bee about Westphal's playing rotation, the coach benches Hawes for one game against Detroit, saying: "I saw (in the paper) where he's having a hard time understanding his role. He should understand it (after) tonight."
April 12 - The Kings pick up the third year of Westphal's contract, meaning he'll be the coach through 2011-12. "This just shows we have confidence in Paul," said Gavin Maloof, "You know. Through thick and thin."
April 13 - The Kings lose 11 of their final 12 games of the season to finish last in the Pacific Division with a 25-57 record.
Nov. 29 - Westphal kicks rookie DeMarcus Cousins out of practice after the coach and center argue several times.
Dec. 22 - Westphal suspends and fines Cousins after the center makes a choking gesture toward Reggie Williams of the Warriors.
2011
Feb. 13 - Westphal keeps Cousins from traveling to Phoenix after the rookie gets into an altercation with teammate Donte Green. Cousins is fined $41,000.
March 23-29 - The Kings win four games in a row, matching the longest win streak for Sacramento under Westphal.
April 13 - Kings lose to Lakers 116-108 in overtime to finish Westphal's second season at 24-58.
Dec. 31 - In a player-coach meeting after a 114-92 loss to New York, Westphal says Cousins asks to be traded. The coach tells Cousins not to show up for a New Year's Day game against New Orleans.
2012
Jan. 4 - The Kings fall to 2-5 on the season after getting blown out in Denver 110-83, a game Westphal calls another "kick in the teeth."
Jan. 5 - The Kings fire Westphal after he compiles a 51-120 record in a little more than two seasons. Keith Smart, who was brought in before the season by management and not Westphal, becomes interim coach.
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