February 15, 2025
Fox describes relationship with Christie, Kings’ energy transition

Fox describes relationship with Christie, Kings’ energy transition

Fox describes relationship with Christie, Kings’ energy transition originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings flipped a switch in their 2024-25 NBA season, and interim head coach Doug Christie was the energizing lightbulb that helped make it all happen.

Christie has an impressive 8-2 record since taking over from former coach Mike Brown, who was fired on Dec. 28 after a five-game losing streak and a disappointing start to the season.

Sacramento has now won eight of its last 10 games, including big wins over the defending champion Celtics in Boston and a decisive win against one of the Western Conference’s best teams, the Houston Rockets.

While a win could certainly solve everything, it’s hard to deny the change in energy from the players with Christie at the helm.

“I think everyone’s in good spirits,” Kings star point guard De’Aaron Fox said after Saturday’s practice (h/t The Deuce & Mo podcast. “Obviously these things go up a little bit , when you win. But Dougs This guy lights up a room.

“And like I said, when you go from fourth man on the bench to first man on the bench, it shines even more because you’re the man who stands up. You’re the guy everyone sees.”

While Christie’s role may be new, his connection to the team certainly isn’t new. From player to broadcaster to assistant to now interim head coach, Christie will always be considered a Kings legend.

Fox, who was drafted by Sacramento in 2017, has always been familiar with Christie. Christie was a commentator for three of Fox’s first four years in the league before joining the team as an assistant.

“It was always good,” Fox said of his relationship with Christie. “Even when he was doing the broadcasts, he was always there. He was always in the gym. Obviously he didn’t work with us directly, but he was always there. He was just always a great guy. He always has a smile on his face when he comes in here.

“And like I said, he just lights up the room when he walks in, and you can kind of see that in the guys right now.”

The mood is in full swing, now it’s up to Christie and the Kings to keep things going in the second half of the season.

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