Kmart out of business

Yea I am sure you have heard the word, the leading scorer of the team is out for four to six weeks, but I don't think this is the end of what was looking to be a promising start to the season.

Kevin is the only King averaging over 20 points a game and is obviously their go-to guy, but while he sits a guy that played great in the absence of Ron Artest at the start of the season will fill his role. John Salmons was averaging 18 points a game when he was filling in for Ron and there is so reason to believe he can't do that again.

Combine that with the brand of basketball Reggie Theus has the guys playing (hard nosed, defensive minded) and you could still see a pretty competitive team. At 8-10 and a solid home record, the Kings are starting to get some recognition, even from TNT analyst Charles Barkley who has always been a harsh critic of the Kings.

So yes Kevin will be missed, but also remember, when he comes back it will be around the time Mike Bibby will be ready to suit up and barring any other injuries, the Kings will have their lineup at full strength.

Not all is lost Kings fans, except the chances at Kevin making the all-star team this year. Up until now he would have had to been one of the top candidates for those on the cusp of making it. With an injury sidelining him for some time that likely will not happen. But hey, there is always the next four years of that contract!

Rocky road

Up and down that is what we expected Kings fans. One night we beat the champs the next we fall apart down the stretch against regional rivals.

On Saturday the team returned to glory by beating Rick Adelman's Rockets. This is a common case of a rebuilding team and at least things are exciting. There are going to be games where you shake your head and wonder why Brad Miller went up for that dunk and got stuffed, or why Francisco Garcia shot that three, or why Bendo Udrih committed that foul with way too much time left.

There are going to be to be times when they pull off miracles though like beating the San Antonio Spurs in blowout fashion. And for that, there is reason to tune in to this team. I am really starting to believe in Reggie Theus.

It is not easy to start a a season with a new team, especially with your best players out of the lineup. But that is what Theus did and he has his guys motivated instead of waiting for Mike to come back.

If we can get by Utah we are right back in the drivers' seat and that that loss to the Warriors will be far in the rear view.

And please, please don't start with the "keep losing for a high draft pick" chant. Let's support our team with what we have, that's what Kings fans are about.

Double overtime win, double the disappointing fans

I attended the game last night against the New York Knicks, and I must say, I was highly entertained. How about you?

Granted these teams aren't exactly the best of both worlds, I didn't expect much, but for $10 why not? The fans are becoming more and more disappointing, but I will get to that later. A double overtime game, it was quite the thriller with the Knicks having two chances to beat the Kings at the buzzer but the defense of Ron Artest against the much heavier Eddy Curry prevailing.

Say what you will about the record of this team, these guys are improving. This was a game they should have won and they did what they had to do to get it done. Coach Reggie Theus made some timely substitutions and adjustments, aside from a timeout at the end of the game when I think he should have let K-Mart drive to the bucket.

Martin scored a career high 43 points, and while he is keeping me competitive in my fantasy league, he is also staying competitive in the All-Star ballots. Any player who is in the top 4 in league scoring is going to be a major candidate for the All-Star team. Enough with the individual accolades though, this is about the team as a whole.

As I expected, the addition of Beno Udrih and the return of Ron has given the team a huge boost. Again, I'm not saying that we should expect the playoffs, but at least Reggie has them competing and protecting their home court.

Now to the fans, or better yet, what fans? What is up you loyal thumpers? Did you guys forget how horrible the Kings were for all of those years before Vlade and Chris came? You weren't sitting on your hands then, let alone leaving after the end of regulation going into overtime!

The minute the buzzer went off at the end of the 4th quarter (on a Friday night mind you) the rows were filled with fans heading for the exits. Now unless they didn't know how basketball works and thought the game just ended in a tie, they decided that leaving would be a better option than watching 10 more minutes of basketball.

I understand that you got used to winning and are stubborn now blah blah, but that's just not how professional sports work folks. You have good times and you have rebuilding years. The best you can hope for during rebuilding is effort and enthusiasm and that is exactly what this group brings to the court.

I think it's time for a chant...ready? When I say "Fair!" you say "Weathers!"

There will "Be-no" lack of intensity

This last home stand has given proof that the Kings might be headed in the right direction.

There are signs from what you want to see out of a young squad: growth, energy, competitiveness and consistency. Of course this may not be the case on the road, but at least at home these guys are actually putting their hearts on the floor.

With the addition of Beno Udrih and with Ron coming back this week, the Kings actually might win a few games. I still highly doubt the playoffs are a possibility given the amount of talent currently on the roster, and the fact that Mike Bibby might not be back before the All Star Break, but at least it may be an exciting brand of basketball.

It is clear we do have a pure point guard now in Beno, with even the possibility of some growth. The guy did spend most of his young career backing up Tony Parker on the champion Spurs, so playing time was anything but steady for him. With the chance at a few months of starts however, he could turn out to be a solid backup, or even replacement, to Bibby in the future.

Francisco Garcia continues to bring energy, even though I still believe his carelessness will result in some losses, and Spencer Hawes is finding his way on to the court. When you look at basing the future around Martin, Garcia, Douby, Hawes and Beno, that doesn't sound all that bad. Maybe we can be dubbed the "baby Kings" like the Bulls were a few years ago during their run back to the spotlight.

One last thing; I am going to see the Kings play the Spurs this month for the price of a movie. That's right, for $10 I am going to Arco to see them play the champions. If you couldn't afford a game in the past now is your chance folks. Get in while the fair weathers are on their couch!

First win

The home opener, equipped with a shiny new court that is definitely an update to the old one, launched the Kings towards their first victory Tuesday night.

Facing a 20-point deficit in the second quarter, the “boo-birds” came out of the seats of Arco. I was on the same page. The lack of defense and no cohesiveness on offense had me ready to change the station to CNN. Somehow though, the Kings managed to get some offense together and rally towards a victory over the, now 0-4, Seattle Sonics.

The crowd, which broke the sell out streak by not completely filling the stands, was rejuvenated. Finally fans were given something to get excited about.

With Kevin Martin scoring 31 points, I assumed it would have to be the lanky 55 million-dollar man to come up clutch at the end of the game. The Kings down by two with under a minute left. Instead, it was Francisco Garcia who hit a corner three after having previously shot blanks all over the court for the entire game.

Even though Garcia won the game, I think the guy is a hazard with a hot temper and an arrogance that doesn't get backed up with his playing abilities. In an interview after the game, a reporter asked him if he had heard coach Reggie Theus calling for a timeout. He said he did but told himself "hell no I'm going to knock this down." You made the basket Cisco’ but you still haven't convinced me you are a team player.

So we find ourselves 1-3 with Lebron and the Cavs coming to town Friday. James will get his 35 easily against our inside defense. The deciding factor will be if Kevin can put up another big game and if the fans can lift the team the way they did Tuesday night.
I highly doubt the Kings win that game if it was up in Seattle.

Get to the games fans! They are going to need all the support they can get to protect home and have any chance at a respectable record. Let's start a new sell out streak!!

Also of note: Kevin Durant is for real.

Uh oh

The territory is bleak, very bleak. The Kings are now ranked dead last in the league rankings this week on NBA.com.

Without Bibby or Artest, the team is, on average, down by 19 points at halftime so far this season. With no one to distribute the ball to him, Kevin Martin is only doing what he can to get the team any points on the board. Everybody else, other than John Salmons, is no where to be found. Brad Miller, even with the weight he lost, is the same old Brad falling all over the floor under the basket and missing mid-range jumpers.

You can even tell in the voice of TV announcer Grant Napier that the team is just not getting anything done. The highly-excitable Napier displays a clear lack of interest during the telecasts these days. Tuesday night marks the first time the hometown fans get a glimpse at this squad of under achievers and will likely do the same.

Even when Bibby and Artest come back to the lineup (especially Bibby) it might already be too late for Reggie Theus and the left overs of last year's disappointment.

Watching the Kings getting stomped on by the Spurs over the weekend I couldn't help but look at Kenny Thomas and ask myself why. Why Petrie? Why are we still watching this sluggish forward run up and down the floor for our team. This is the same guy we traded Chris Webber for! Remember how long ago that happened? I never thought this guy would last past the end of that season three years ago. I guess that is what you get with these massive contracts though.

The only hope I can offer you fans is that this new point guard they picked up can help balance out the team. He should have some good qualities seeing as he backed up Tony Parker in San Antonio for a couple of years.

You can go check out the home games now anytime you want, so get out there and show your support. WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM.

That's right, the sell out streak is coming to an end.

Uncharted territory

The season starts this week and the Kings are heading into a land of unknown.

New head coach Reggie Theus looks like he has the guys "playing hard," which is what every coach in professional sports "looks like" they are doing. I do think that he can be a solid "players coach" and connect with the guys in a way that Eric Mussleman couldn't. They haven't looked all that sluggish and non-motivated like in recent years so maybe Reggie and his acting skills can do some good, but who knows.

Mike Bibby just underwent surgery on his thumb and is expected to miss over two months of the season. Knowing Bibby he will likely try to get back sooner, which can be a good and bad thing. As it currently stands, the Kings don't have a backup point guard. That is a big no-no in professional basketball. The points guard is the floor guide to a team. The one who sets up the offense and balances them out. Quincy Douby, as it has been throughout the preseason, could man the ship at the point position. Francisco Garcia and John Salmons, two players who are not point guards, will share the duties. Recent rumors have pushed Orien Green as the starter at the point. Maybe the team can use this opportunity to grow a core of young guys around Kevin Martin, but who knows.

Next is the fans. I am starting to notice tickets are a little easier to come by going into the opening night of the season. You can purchase tickets on Ticketmaster right now for the game when in years prior you would be fighting to out bid that pest on the other side of the eBay bidding block. This season will be a huge test for these loyal Kings fan. They do have a reputation to uphold now and it will be under a microscope by the league now that the team isn't spectacular. The fans will be the focal point when ESPN rolls into town (which I think they might be doing only once this season), but who knows.

Lets hope for more than 35 wins Kings fans, and maybe a glimpse into what the future of the franchise might look like.

First game, not much change

I attended the first preseason game last night. Going in, I didn't expect to see much out of the Reggie Theus-led squad. I got what I came for.

I know it is the first game of the season and the team and new coaching staff have some "getting to know each other" to do but the Kings looked exactly the same against the Seattle Sonics. Miller has slimmed down a little and does look slightly quicker yes, but what I saw was one-on-one basketball and opposition scoring at will in the paint.

Sound familiar???

Mike Bibby looked as if he may focus on trying to run the team a little more this year instead of just scoring. Ron Artest did drive to the lane a few times but unfortunately, he still insists on shooting three pointers at the wrong time. Theus left his starters in a lot more than I expected, which did bode well for Kevin Martin who scored 27 points on limited minutes.

Martin, as he should be with 55 million in his pocket, is going to have an even better season this year. He looks as though he has bulked up a little and his shot is even smoother. He scored those 27 points on 11 shots and also said that he is expecting to get to the line at least eight times a game.

Another bright spot was Quincy Douby who has had a great off season and will likely get more minutes this year. He looked quick and his shot looked smooth and will really be a boost off the bench. He ran the point a few times and looked to be in control.

Mikki Moore looked awful.

The arena issue popped into my head, while sitting in the stands. This wasn't just a thought that randomly presented itself while staring off into space, I had a visual display of what the clunky Arco represents in this day in age. The whole row of seats in front of me unlatched and tilted forward with fans sitting in them! The fans were almost lifted off their backside and thrown to the ground. After regaining their balance the entire row continued to swing back and forth like a porch swing. Enough said. Let's get the new arena approved and get on track Kings fans!

Francisco Garcia did not play, but may play on Thursday against the Suns. Draft pick Spencer Hawes is having surgery during the pre season on his knee. He should be ready to go around the start of the season but will have some work to do to get prepared for the NBA.

The new kings kingdom

So Cal Expo is the new proposed site for an arena. The first thing that came to my mind is where is all that traffic going to go? After visions of that bottle neck on I-80 along Arden faded I realized I didn't care when it came down to it, as long as the Kings stay in Sacramento.

Measures R and Q failed mainly because the tax payers didn't want to fork the buck over, but another underlying theme was the debate between keeping the arena in Natomas or putting it downtown for the sake of traffic. That debate roared on and all the while I was begging for it to pass and assure a 30 year contract extension between the city and Maloofs. As you know, it didn't happen.

Now we have the NBA involved and from what it sounds like, they are going put a lot of their pocket book into the project. Because of this, I think we should let them put the arena anywhere they want and worry about the traffic when it comes. I know I could tolerate a little extra time to get in and out of a new arena if the Kings put together another championship run and my tax dollars were being used for other things such as schools.

Thought I feel that residents of Sacramento have become immune to the threats of the Kings leaving by now, I know for a fact everyone would breath a sigh of relief the minute that first shovel is dug into the ground by David Stern and the Kings open up the 2008-2009 season with a new world class facility. The traffic hurdles I am sure can be engineered to function but there is one remaining factor should Cal Expo be the spot for the Kings. Where is the fair going to be???

Oh fellow citizens of the Sacramanento area...are we ever happy?

In with the new..bring back the old?

Last week the Kings signed Kevin Martin to a five-year, $55 million deal. This is something I have been waiting for for a while now and I think it is a good move for the franchise.

Martin was the leading scorer for the team last season during his tour as a full time starter. I doubt he is going to be the player that a lot of fans want him to be (the next MJ) but he is a solid player that can benefit the team for years to come.

Most likely, Mike Bibby or Ron Artest will be gone by the end of this season and hopefully the Kings can lure a superstar to share the load with Martin.

Seeing his incremental improvements in play (he finished second in the contest for most improved player last season) have been fun and I hope he can keep it up.

As for the old...Doug Christie has been talking about making a return to the league. As much as I would like Doug to come back to Sacramento, it is highly improbable for him to play for any team in the league.

At 37 years old and a few major injuries later, Doug is likely a shadow of what he was during the "golden years" of the Kings. His supreme talent was defense and to be a solid defensive player you need speed and quickness. He isn't Reggie Miller who could just casually run up and down the court and shoot jumpers if he needed to (Miller has ended rumors that he will return to the NBA to play for the Boston Celtics).

The point is, Miller could do it because his talent was shooting three pointers, Doug's is stopping players like Kobe Bryant. The time away from the game, mixed with his injuries and his age are against him.

We miss you Doug, even with your crazy hand nod to your wife all game long, but you must remain a memory to us or forever tarnish your reputation.

To the new, let's do this K-MART!

Ron Artest eats ostrich testicles

No the headline isn't wrong or taken out of context, the man recently was fed ostrich testicles by native Africans.

"It tastes like pork," Artest said in an online interview.

This is one of the many things the Kings forward experienced on his recent summer trip to Kenya, Africa. He also viewed a completely different way of living, outside the world of basketball and rap music that is. In a recent interview released on the Kings Web site, Artest talks about African history, feeding those who are hungry, being attacked by a monkey and about watching the natives drink animal blood because "that's how they live."

The trip by Artest is refreshing from a fan's perspective, depending on what his intentions were. One would like to believe the man had a keen interest in heading over seas for the summer to get a glimpse at what life is like and how fortunate he really is to live a lavish life in the states. That is the hopeful and understand side of me. The other side of me wonders if it was a PR ploy by a man who is attempting to revamp his tarnished character.

Off court problems have continued to be Artest's problem throughout his career and even his life. I'm going to stick with the first option only because I want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. He could quite possibly be a little mentally unbalanced but he has shown some signs of remorse and forgiveness (although the allegations against his wife and dogs are unacceptable if they are both completely true).

So let Ron go over to Africa with a Swahili translator and make a difference in some child's life, and at least try to imagine it being a sincere gesture. Apparently within three years he is going to get a park built over there for all of the children to use because "they have nothing to play with."

He is also opening an AIDS clinic in September as well as having a school named after him. PR stunt or not, the fact is he took the time and effort to make a difference in a country that is in dire need of financial and health assistance. For that, the troubled basketball star should be recognized.

To view the entire interview go here: http://www.nba.com/kings/features/Ron_Summer_2007.html

Falling to the basement

The Kings won't be seen too much by the rest of the country next season.

According to the NBA's 2007-2008 schedule, released Thursday, August 2., the team will only be on national television three times next season.

Two of those appearance likely won't even be watched because they are on NBA-TV. The only chance the country will have to view the Reggie Theus-led Kings will be on Nov. 9 on ESPN when they play the Eastern Conference champs Cleveland Cavs.

Don't take this too personally though. In the past, when a game has been on both national television and Channel 10 I watch the local broadcast anyway. There is something refreshing to watching Grant Napier and Jerry Reynolds make their goofy comments and spar back and forth. It is much more entertaining than listening to Charles Barkley on TNT rant about how Sacramento will never be good and that we are nothing without Chris Webber. Not to mention all of those graphics of him with a baby bib on or of his head on a fat white guy's body.

The lack of acknowledgment is a tad flustering however though for one reason; the fans. The NBA often touts the Sacramento fans as the most loyal and as the loudest. TNT will often have several takes that scan across the crowd during games and timeouts to show the rest of the NBA just how loyal we are. Apparently that isn't enough for rankings though.

To put this in perspective though consider this. The Memphis Grizzlies have the same amount of games on national television as the Kings but at least one of them is on TNT! The Cavs have over 30 nationally televised appearances scheduled for next season.

Yup folks, we have met the floor mat of the league but this shouldn't discourage us. Kevin Martin and the chance at rebuilding will keep the passion for purple thriving!

.....

It has been a few weeks now since any whispers have been made about next year's roster. Though I know there is plenty of time for moves to be made, time is ticking away and I am getting slightly concerned about the lineup next season.

Jeff Petrie has consistently said he thinks patience is the key, so this could be just me becoming too wary too soon. But what if my concern is real and no more changes are made? Is Reggie Theus a well-rounded enough coach to turn the dysfunctional group of last season into a positive winner?

I know that if I see Mike Bibby and Brad Miller both in the starting line up next season my hopes and dreams for a second round playoff birth will be shattered before the ball is tipped into play. Both have offensive talent yes, and are the two Kings players with the longest tenure, but come on someone has to play defense. I'm still waiting for Petrie to fulfill this dire need.

In all likelihood, Ron Artest will be back for lack of decent trade value. His defense is a need, but if Theus can't keep him under control we could be in for it again. There is always Kevin Martin to brunt the burden of the lack of offense. Martin will more than likely return as the team's leading scorer and could quite possibly be in all-star contention if a trade happens to put a few more pieces around him.

Let's hope something is done sooner than later so we can get pumped up again.

Until then all I have to say is ..........

Back In Black

If there is one thing that isn’t devastating to remember about that 2002 season when Robert Horry ruined our parade downtown, it must be the black.

Yes the black jerseys the Kings sported when they were on the road. They were sleek and solid and represented Sacramento well to other cities. These days the team is either draped in a light purple that isn’t far from Barney’s skin tone or those hideous gold things that look like a Vegas cocktail waitress’s outfit on a Wednesday night.

Maybe it was the idea that forgetting that shot by Horry and the shot they had at the title would be an easier accomplishment if the same uniforms were forever put to rest. I’m here to say, bring them back! They looked like champion jerseys and are far better than the options we have today.

Those gold jerseys are the second worst in the league behind the gold and black ones the Washington Wizards bring to the court every now and then. At least in their case, they get to have Gilbert Arenas putting up close to 50 a night. If the Kings had a player like that and a team that was capable of winning on a nightly basis, there would be no complaints from me about their attire. But here we are coming off a draft-worthy season and it just reminded me of how much I miss the black.

This isn’t to say I’m one of those fans I have often commented on. The ones who relish in the “golden years,” excuse the pun, and aren't willing to support the team unless Vlade comes back from retirement to slow up the center position even more. I just want our team to look sharp when we take the floor in LA and New York. If those gold uniforms are blinding the crowd it gives them one more reason to stick up their nose to our cow country.

I know the team is low on cash; the Maloofs are facing some hard economic times right now obviously (joke). If the team is trying to turn the corner and look to the future why not get a new identity? You don’t have to bring the exact same jerseys back from 2002 but something close would be cool. Put black jerseys with purple lettering on the troops, at least on the road. The home jerseys of white and purple aren’t all that bad but could use a few tweaks.

Just no more flashy gold, the team isn’t flashy…..yet.

Mikki Moore

Mikki Moore was signed on Friday. The forward/center played with the New Jersey Nets last season and has been in the NBA for nine years. Last year, Moore averaged around 10 points and five rebounds.

Not sure what to think of this move yet. I checked out some footage of Moore on Youtube.com today and he looks like he has a decent jump shot and can finish hard. Suddenly the Kings are full of big men. Looks as though there will be a ton of different lineups until head coach Reggie Theus figures out what works.

Some are saying that this signing means that talks between the Kings and Cavs have stalled in regards to Mike Bibby. To me, it's nothing to get excited about (another Shareef/Thomas). What will that do Petrie? Let's cross our fingers and hope there is more activity this off-season. I thought the team was looking to get younger but this is sort of baffling.

Here is the site to some of Moore's footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVJYwV5B4g

Trade Winds

As expected, it's become difficult to figure out what exactly Jeff Petrie is planning to do with his two stars Mike Bibby and Ron Artest. Artest was originally at the top of the list to be let go, but now talks between the Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers have resurfaced in regards to Bibby.

The deal would involve forward Drew Gooden and San Antonio center Jackie Butler. Leading up to the trade deadline last season Bibby was reportedly sought out by the Cavs, but a deal could not be hashed out because Petrie felt the Kings would not be receiving enough talent in return.

Based on the Cavs performance in the playoffs, there is a way the Kings would get enough in return should another player be added to the mix. Point guard Daniel Gibson was a beast in the playoffs making clutch after clutch shot and was even being considered Lebron’s wingman. Some may say this is exactly why the Cavs would not want to part ways with Gibson. On the contrary, with both respective teams currently moving in two different directions it would be perfect.

The Kings are in rebuilding mode looking to gather young talent to build around Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia. Gibson is entering only his second year and has shown a tremendous amount of heart and knowledge of the game, something Bibby is often complimented for. Gibson, Martin, Garcia, Gooden (25) and Ron Artest would be a lineup full of spunk. Artest, while he is not considered the greatest leader would provide the toughness and determination the team would need and if Brad Miller continues to slump, draft pick Spencer Hawes could get an opportunity to run with a young squad (Hawes has had two solid games so far in summer league scoring 19 and 22 with one bad performance scoring only eight).

The Cavs on the other hand just went to the NBA Finals and are looking for a way to improve so they can not only make another appearance, but come out victorious as well. Aside from Lebron, the Cavs have no solid leadership or reliable scoring outlet. Bibby would automatically bring leadership and scoring to a team that was outmatched in the Finals by the overwhelmingly dominant Spurs. When Gilbert Arenas is healthy, the Wizards will be a threat to the Cavs along with the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and of course the Detroit Pistons. They are going to have to improve in the off-season if they want to repeat their success last year because Lebron can’t do it alone.

Another reason why the Cavs would have to throw more into the pot is because Gooden’s contract is about half that of Bibby’s. Though Gibson’s contract would likely not completely fill the void financially, it would make the talent field a little more even. Gooden is a solid forward that will give you 10 points and 10 rebounds a game, which is something Shareef and Kenny Thomas seem to have trouble doing on a consistent basis. With Gibson in the lineup it would allow the team to grow and mature under new coach Reggie Theus and possibly be exciting to watch in the process.

And let’s face it Kings fans, Bibby and Lebron would be a fun duo to watch on the east coast.

Rappin Ron

Ron Artest may be great at grabbing steals and guarding some of the league's best players, but something else he is good at is rapping.

No not rapping as in music, rapping off statements without thinking and then contradicting himself. In the time leading up to the forward coming to Sacramento, Artest continuously said he wanted nothing to do with the Kings and that trading him for Peja was a joke. Within the first week of him coming here however he announced how happy he was and how the team was on the verge of a championship.

Now Ron Ron is saying that he wants to retire a member of the Sacramento Kings. But also during those weeks leading up to him coming here, when he was still a member of the Indiana Pacers, he said it didn't matter which team he went to because he was going to retire as a New York Knick.

And I have still not yet commented on when he said that he was going to retire at the end of last season to spend more time with his family. Another rapping of empty statements.

So don't take his comments on him wanting to remain in a King's jersey until he is "really ready" to retire too seriously. Artest's history of feeding a load nonsense to the media and fans should attest to that. If anything it was a ploy either by Artest or Petrie or both of them to get the spotlight off the trade rumors for a bit.

With the lack of mid-level offers out there on the market for the rapper/rapper/NBA player, other than New York's David Lee, the Kings may be better off just keeping him on the roster. That is unless Petrie can bust out a rap of his own to lure something beneficial in return.

Hawes Update

Spencer Hawes scored 19 points and collected seven rebounds in the Kings' Summer League victory over Team China on Saturday.

Hawes, Francisco Garcia, Justin Williams and last years draft pick Quincy Douby are all members of the team.

Kings Loyalty

One thing I have noticed listening to talk radio and reading articles on the Kings this off season is that there is still a very strong interest in the team. This is very encouraging because you couldn't help but wonder when and if fans were going to accept the current rebuilding mode the team is in, or turn their backs.

The most notable example of this was the chatter over their first round draft pick Spencer Hawes. Around town people were asking questions about Petrie's decision and for the most part, hating it. Whether or not Hawes was a good decision isn't the purpose of this post but it does support the concept of it. Fans are still thirsting for wins and wanting the right moves to be made, which in turn means...they care.

Now this isn't to say the fans here have a reputation for being fair weather, they were loyal in 1985 and through the doomsdays that proceeded that. When the Kings made their consecutive streak of playoff appearances the fans became slightly spoiled though. As Webber, Vlade, Bobby Jackson and the rest of the group left, I constinuously heard everyone saying "I don't even recognize the team anymore." This always made my stomach turn as if they were just giving up with a "get back to me when you are dominant again" attitude. That's not what being a loyal fan is about and not how sports work. Every franchise must go through rebuilding, well at least if you aren't the San Antonio Spurs.

The trade talks have been flying off the walls lately. Personally, I think Ron Artest is a bargain for the salary he is making. I don't agree with his alleged off court "activity" but on the court, dude is a beast. Mike Bibby on the other hand has been the face of the franchise for a long time now, is a solid shooter and is the only remaining member of that old team that all the fans desperately try to hang on to. He is a veteran player that can anchor a team, but he hasn't proven himself as a leader on or off the court and his numbers are down. So it is hard to say where these two stand in my opinion, they both have upsides but also gaping holes in their personality and their ability to coexist.

The other major piece is Brad Miller....we all have an opinion on him. His salary of over $13 million next season will make it impossible to rid the center position of his jello-style of defense.

I still have the desire to see the team succeed and these trade talks along with the concern over the wellbeing of the future of the franchise assure me that maybe this fan base is as loyal as the NBA seems to think. And that is saying a lot for a franchise that is not guaranteed to be in Sacramento with the continued arena issue.

Hawes In, Miller Out?

Well, it may be too early to tell whether 7-foot Spencer Hawes will be what the Sacramento Kings need to move into the future on a positive note. His build, speed and style all resemble Brad Miller. The main difference is his ability to post up around the basket.

Watching the only video of him on YouTube, I couldn't help but notice flashes of one Vlade Divac. He is a strong passer, often referred to as the best passing big man in the draft, and somewhat of a shot blocker. He has a decent hook shot (a fading art in today's game) and mid-range jumper. His main down side is his lack of mobility and athleticism, something the current roster lacks immensely.

With the kings not selecting a power forward, it is quite possible they will keep Ron Artest. The question then becomes what is the future of Brad Miller? Miller has had two very bad seasons in a row with lower scoring numbers combined with a pitiful presence in the middle. How many times last season did we see players from every position run right through the guy? Even if he is a good passer and decent shooter, the hunting/chew spitting Miller needs to improve his game or hand over his position to a developing talent. This draft choice by Petrie could possible mean a reduced role by Miller or possibly even a trade.

The only argument against that is the fact that Hawes is 19 years old and only played one season with the University of Washington. He did average 14.9 points and 6 rebounds in that one season, but is that enough to bump a one-time All Star out of the starting position, or for that matter replace him, I think not.

The team might have solved the need for a more aggressive big man in the middle, MIGHT HAVE, but even if they did it could take a few years for the kid to mature as he isn't to the likes of the beast the Blazers got in Greg Oden. With all of the experts claiming this to be one of deepest drafts since 1984 when Michael Jordan came into the league, we could have snagged a gem because big men with a fundamental game can be hard to find.

I will leave you with a quote from University of Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar on the Kings' first round draft pick.

"We are very fortunate to have who we feel is arguably the best big man in America at this level. He is not only talented, but he has a lot of toughness. We think he embodies everything that Husky basketball is all about. We expect him to make an immediate impact, We have not had someone who can step in and do the things that he does with his size. As a 7-footer, he is able to score on the low block and able to pass the basketball with a good feel," Romar said on the Huskies Web site.

Sacramento Kings New Coach

The Kings have their new man, Maloofs or Petrie calling shots?

At the end of last season it was obvious the Sacramento Kings needed a change. As a matter of fact at the end of the prior season it was obvious they needed a change. Joe and Gavin Maloof are the owners. Jeff Petrie is the president of basketball operations. Granted the Maloofs do indeed own the team, Petrie has a track record for success (see the the Chris Webber/Vlade Divac era birthed in 1997) and should have at least 60 to 80 percent of the say in such major decisions as a new coach. He is after all, the "president" of basketball "operations."

The Kings have now made a change, and just as they did in the decision to fire Rick Adelman and bring in Ron Artest, the Maloofs are the ones deciding what is best for the team on the court. With most of their time spent in Sin City, one must wonder if the gambling bug has taken over the brothers who say the absolutely love Sacramento.

Petrie, after former head coach Eric Musselman was fired a little over two months ago, was supposedly put in charge of the selection process for a new head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Days after Musselman was fired Petrie made it clear the new coach should have some type of NBA coaching experience - over 90 percent of head coaches in the NBA have at some time in their careers at least been an assistant coach. Instead, long-time friend of the Maloofs and member of the first Sacramento team in 1985 Reggie Theus was hired with only a few years of college WAC-level coaching experience at New Mexico State University.

For those of you unfamiliar with that division of college basketball, don't feel bad. This is the same division that our very own Sacramento State Hornets can be found. There is nothing wrong with the stinging Hornets of course but two years of coaching in this division, even if it may include a very successful turn-around season, does not seem to merit the lead role of the King's Court.


Theus (NBA player for 13 years, TV announcer, college coach) himself is very confident and willing to reach out the community, two of the main reasons why the Maloofs hired him. A few other coaches available included: Larry Brown, Scott Brooks and Brian Shaw. All would have been capable.

Whether or not Petrie or the Maloofs are running the show in basketball operations may not be important though as the team is now in an obvious rebuilding mode with a lineup lacking talent, no cohesive locker room chemistry and arena issues. One thing Kings fan can't continue to do is dwell on the era mentioned above. Chris Webber and Vlade are gone and so is that confident swagger they, along with us had in 2001 and 2002.

Theus might be the players' coach to bring that swagger back or he might be the one who takes the team back to the days of when he played. A time when fans showed up at the games to see the opponents' players. Either way, the Maloofs, presidents of basketball operations have gone all in.