They Call This Playing

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-126 Monday night.
Biedrins, a notoriously poor free-throw shooter, went 6-for-6. He also went 7-for-7 from the field. The Kings G Jason Hart fouled out in just 13 minutes of action.
Kevin Martin scored 32 points and Ron Artest had 22 for the Kings, who lost their fourth straight road game. Golden State tied Sacramento's franchise record for 3s allowed in a game. The Kings haven't led in the first quarter of any road game this season.

What Happened?

This previous week has not been a good week for the Sacramento Kings who have gone from a 3 game winning streak to a 5 game losing streak in only 7 days. On Sunday the Kings will play the Atlanta Hawks who have no current injuries and are staying fairly consistent with no consecutive losses.
The Kings on the other hand have no injuries, but Maurice Taylor has just been suspended for the next 5 games because he tested positive for marijuana for the 3rd time. I can’t say that Taylor’s absence will hurt the Kings because he hasn’t played the last 3 games and has only scored 4 points all season.
The Kings need to get rid of him already and replace him with someone who will benefit the team.

Big Test for Kings Tonight

The red hot streaking Dallas Mavericks are hosting the Sacramento Kings tonight. This is going to be quite the test for the Kings who are on a 3 game win streak, but are forced to play the Mavs who are on an 11 game winning streak. And the road trip doesn't get any easier because the Kings then have to turn around and face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. This is definitely an early test of the character of this Kings team.

Car problems

I hear that Ron Artest has missed playing time due to back spasms, which in turn were due to his driving to work at Arco Arena in his wife's Mercedes SL 500, which was due to his wife deciding that the Mercedes was not her style. I can understand how it might not be Ron's style either, seeing as he's 6'7".

Just wanted the Artests and the Sacramento Kings organization to know that this loyal, not to mention, shorter, fan would be glad to swap out. Except my Honda Civic wouldn't be much better. How about my uncle's ancient El Camino?

Wow! What Goes Around...

...comes around, they say. But I'll bet the Chicago Bulls weren't expecting it so soon! Of course, I'm talking about upset victories, not blow-outs like the one they had over last year's champion Miami Heat. But our 89-88 was just as much a win as Chicago's monster-sized opening victory. And when you think about it, which game would you rather have had tickets to see?

Fantastic job, Kings!

Crazy Nickname, Cool Player

I was just reading a discussion of Sacramento guard Kevin Martin, referred to in the headline as “K-Mart.” Makes me wonder if he’s been stuck with that since his days in Zanesville, Ohio, or if some brilliant NBA publicist came up with it.

The article talked about Martin’s endorsement contracts, which is one way to measure how his pro basketball career is going. Fortunately, there was also some mention of Kevin’s serious attitude and wholehearted determination: he was the first to criticize his sloppy play in our opening loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the Kings can see past an off night, and so can the NBA’s general managers, who put Martin near the top of their list of players ready for a breakout season.

Kings’ Preseason Ends on Upswing

No Arco tickets, so I had to rely on Sam Amick of the Bee for the news about Sacramento beating the Portland Trail Blazers 84-78. Love the write-ups anyway, because, unlike this humble blogger, most sports columnists have a touch of the poet. For example, “Kings center Brad Miller running the floor as if chasing someone who stole his monster truck.” Nice image. And evidently the point of it was that Miller has been powering up his defense, part of the strategy Eric Musselman wants the Kings to emphasize this year.

Next time, I want to see that in person.

Sacramento Kings Fans Need to Vote

Kings fans, we'd get more use out of a beautiful new arena than anybody. Even if you only follow the Kings from your couch and never buy a ticket, developing the old railroad yard downtown into an arena would be good. Even if you don't give a flip about basketball.

Because what Sacramento does not need is a hazardous waste dump left festering--that place is a Superfund site, the grossest of the gross. I hate to even use the turning-lemons-into-lemonade image, because those are some mighty toxic lemons. Yuck.

Of course this kind of enterprise is expensive and big profits go to the developers. But the millions it takes to build a sports and entertainment complex don't just float away--they are salaries for construction workers and profit margins for suppliers. And when the place is open, well, even the Kings concession stands makes more money than an abandoned railyard.

Mike Bibby Too Short For The NBA? Naaaa!

The Sacramento Kings made a smooth move when they signed Mike Bibby in June of 2001. This 28 year old has game beyond his years AND beyond his height! I was amazed to see this guys stats and see that he comes in at only 6ft 1 inch. Sacramento better hold onto this one or another NBA team will luck out with him on their team! Don't let his height fool ya, he's got GAME!!!!

Kings hire new coaches

Musselman has kept only one of six assistant coaches from last season, T.R. Dunn. In choosing the new coaches, Musselman has assembled a youthful staff that will hopefully inject some energy into the program. New hires include Scott Brooks, Brendan O'Connor, Mark Hughes, Jason Hamm, and scout Clay Moser. I have high hopes for the new crew, but I will withhold any judgment until I see a few performances.

The King chooses his champion.

Well the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat have advanced to the NBA Finals. I am really hoping the Miami Heat can pull this off because I hate the Dallas Mavericks. They have been one of our big rivals for a long time and I wouldn’t mind seeing them have to try again to get their first NBA Championship. It’s cruel I know, because I have no loyalty to the Miami Heat as a Sacramento Kings fan. But this is war and in war someone has to lose. Go Heat.

Kings’ Reign is Over

The Sacramento Kings were knocked out of the Playoffs in the sixth game of their series against the San Antonio Spurs. We were only down by seven when the third quarter started but we quickly lost our hold and slipped behind to end the game with 83 to the Spurs 105. Despite great play from Mike Bibby and Bonzi Wells, who racked up a double-double, the Kings just couldn’t come back from their double digit deficit.

Not an exciting game.

The Sacramento Kings are squashing the New Orleans Hornets as we speak. This has been a low scoring game on both sides but it appears it is just not in the cards for the Hornets to win tonight. Believe me it is no fault of some great performance by the Kings because there hasn’t been one. Do I sound bitter? At least we will probably make the playoffs.

Someone please step forward.

I was a little disappointed to see us lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Sacramento Kings seem to be falling short of their reputation of the past few years. Mike Bibby is getting a lot of help from Ron Artest and Kenny Thomas and we have won 5 of our last 6 games, but Bibby seems to be slacking in his role as leader of this team.

Artest Proves Useful Against Hawks

I have to admit that Ron Artest has brought this Sacramento Kings team to a higher level of defensive play. Adding him into the mix seemed like a risky move but you’ve got to admit he moves really well and melds well with the other players. Artest’s value can also be seen in the six assists and six steals he executed during the King’s win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Peja Traded for Problem Child

I am sure everyone knows by now that the Sacramento Kings have acquired Ron Artest from the Indiana Pacers. This news is deeply troubling because players like Artest can be very harmful in the locker room. If he does something to hurt the Kings reputation or player morale I hope they just bench him.