Kings HC Doug Christie Defends Team Against 'Haters' In Passionate Speech on Video

Ahead of Tuesday's 122-108 home loss to the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie stood up for his team while addressing the media.

Speaking to reporters before the Kings fell to 3-8 on the season, Christie vowed to eventually "get it right," and play winning basketball consistently.

"When I see the hate, the haters, the fakers—all you guys, you keep that energy," Christie said. "That's good. You keep that. And you know who you are because while you're doing that, we're gonna be working. And while you're doing that, we're gonna be growing. And while you do that, eventually, we're gonna be coming—the Kings Show. Sac proud, know that."

Christie, 55, spent five of his 15 seasons as an NBA guard with the Kings from 2000 to 2005 before transitioning into coaching.

He was a Kings assistant coach from 2021 to 2024 and then served as Sacramento's interim head coach last season following the firing of Mike Brown.

Christie led the team to a 27-24 record, and the interim tag was removed in May, officially making him the new head coach of the Kings.

The Kings are a veteran-laden team led by Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook, which suggests they entered the 2025-26 campaign with the goal of contending for a playoff spot.

Nuggets-Kings Full Highlights

01:30

However, early returns suggest they will be hard pressed to get one in the supremely deep and talented Western Conference.

If the Kings miss the playoffs, it will mark the 19th time they have done so in the past 20 seasons.

Christie's comments on Tuesday night came before another one-sided loss, but also after Carmichael Dave of 1140 KHTK in Sacramento expressed his belief that the Kings are heading toward a full-scale rebuild like the ones the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs went through before becoming top teams:

If that is the case, there is no question the Kings have some desirable pieces to trade, as several of their veterans could help contending teams immensely.

However, if the decision is made to tear it down, it will likely be a long road back to relevancy for the Kings with the hope that the draft picks acquired in trades involving their veteran players will develop into quality NBA players.

That would also make it difficult for Christie to make good on his vows in the near future, although a rebuild is likely best for the Kings' long-term viability.