This time last year, Michael Malone was preparing for his second season on the Sacramento Kings' bench, looking for ways to improve upon a 28-54 start to his NBA head coaching career. Less than two months into the 2014-15 campaign, though, Malone found himself out on the street, fired after an 11-13 start to the season and seven losses in nine games after star center DeMarcus Cousins was sidelined by a bout of viral meningitis.
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Malone could've sat idle and licked his wounds, stewing over what many perceived as a raw deal while continuing to collect the checks owed him after Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé canned him with a year remaining on his contract.