07.30.08
Posted in Sacramento Kings, Basketball at 11:23 am by tim
Finally, I can get back to hating Ron Artest. He’s Houston’s problem now. The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Kings will trade the insane forward to the Rockets for Bobby Jackson, Houston’s first round pick Donte Greene, and a 2009 first round pick. Thanks for not opting out of your contract Ron.
I was getting a little tired of Artest saying he wanted to be a King for the next 20 years, then demanding a trade the very next day. And during the season I didn’t care for him jacking up a string of threes every time he thought he was on fire. But for the most part he was a success story in Sacramento, and stayed out of trouble. Truthfully, I think this is a good trade for both sides.
Houston is getting another All-Star caliber player to round out their roster. He gives them a new attitude, added toughness, and a lockdown defender. The trade makes the Rockets legitimate title contenders, so long as he doesn’t rape or stab any spectators. Artest seems to love coach Rick Adelman, so I think the raping and stabbing will be kept to a minimum.
The Kings get back a fan favorite in Jackson, a first round pick that I’m confident GM Geoff Petrie will use to get another piece to the championship puzzle, and a rookie in Greene who scouts say has the potential to be a star. ESPN’s J.A. Adande gave a great explanation:
“They weren’t going to win a championship with Artest. They weren’t going to win a championship with whatever key player they got for Artest. By going for draft picks and the expiring contract of Jackson they’re sticking with their long-term strategy of good young players until they can be major players in the 2010 free agent market. That summer they can have Beno Udrih, Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Quincy Douby, Greene and three more draft picks under contract, plus some $25 million-plus in salary cap room.”
The Kings have bet on the future, while the Rockets have bet on the present. I like the odds that both teams are getting.
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06.27.08
Posted in Sacramento Kings, Basketball at 1:10 pm by tim
Normally I think it’s a little ridiculous to grade a draft five minutes after it ends. The true value of a team’s draft probably won’t be known for years. But who can wait years?! Besides, I need to kill some time at work, so here we go…
Why an A? Why an extra +? Cause I’m being optimistic. That doubles as my optimism grade. Plus, as of today, none of the three players the Sacramento Kings drafted have pissed me off. I’ll leave the booing to New York, the ultimate pack of morons. How much did it cost you to get in there and boo your team’s future? Do you even wait to hear the name anymore?
It could’ve been better I’ll admit. It seemed like Arizona point guard Jerryd Bayless would drop to the Kings and be a huge steal at No. 12, but of course the Pacers took him at No. 11 and ruined my life. I was also hoping Memphis guard Chris Douglas-Roberts would fall into the Kings’ laps at No. 42, but guess what? Gone at No. 40.
Instead the Kings get power forward Jason Thompson from Rider in the first round. Never heard of him. Never even heard of his school. Frankly they both sound made up. But I trust GM Geoff Petrie, who’s first round draft history includes Peja Stojakovic (14th), Jason Williams (7th, uhh, turned into Mike Bibby), Hedo Turkoglu (16th), Gerald Wallace (25th), Kevin Martin (26th, Western Carolina), Francisco Garcia (23rd) and two guys I’m hopeful for - Quincy Douby (19th) and Spencer Hawes (10th). Pretty much nobody but Petrie and the Kings scouts liked this year’s pick.
“He is a 6-11 power forward with some three skills who averages 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists per game and is a tremendous all-around player for a big guy,” Petrie said of Thompson. “What really impressed us was his ability to dribble the ball, pass the ball and run the floor with his size. We think again that he will be a multi-dimensional type player for us.”
Head coach Reggie Theus pointed out that Thompson began his high school career as a guard before outgrowing the position as another positive.
“The fact that he grew slowly (means) he handles the ball for a big guy extremely well,” Theus said. “(It also) means that after he can rebound the ball he can also become a ballhandler on the break. He runs the floor really well, and just gives us some size and athleticism around the basket, which we really need.”
So there. It’s a scientific fact. In the second round, Sac grabbed Virginia guard Sean Singletary, who I’ll assume is the next Chris Paul, and Georgetown bench warmer/towel boy Patrick Ewing, Jr. I’ve seen Ewing play and … he seemed kind of crappy. But when you look at his stats … they’re pretty crappy too: 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds in 21.7 minutes. But hey, that’s in the past. Let’s hope he turns into his dad and the Kings hit on all three draft picks.
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06.12.08
Posted in Sacramento Kings, Basketball, Morality at 5:05 pm by tim
I dedicate this to everybody who called Kings fans, Kings players and Kings coaches crybabies or whiners in 2002. Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy, who has admitted to betting on games, including ones he worked, has now alleged in court papers that the Kings - Lakers series of 2002 was tampered with. The document, submitted by his lawyer, reads:
“Referees A, F and G were officiating a playoff series between Teams 5 and 6 in May of 2002. It was the sixth game of a seven-game series, and a Team 5 victory that night would have ended the series. However, Tim learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew referees A and F to be ‘company men,’ always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA’s interest to add another game to the series. Referees A and F heavily favored Team 6. Personal fouls [resulting in obviously injured players] were ignored even when they occurred in full view of the referees. Conversely, the referees called made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities for Team 6. Their foul-calling also led to the ejection of two Team 5 players. The referees’ favoring of Team 6 led to that team’s victory that night, and Team 6 came back from behind to win that series.”
Team 5 is the Kings, Team 6 is the Lakers, and Douchebags A, F and G are Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt. The three allowed L.A. to take 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone. They scored 16 of their last 18 points at the line, while centers Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard both fouled out trying not to breathe on Shaq.
“My first thought [upon hearing Donaghy’s allegation] was: I knew it,” Pollard said Tuesday night. “I’m not going to say there was a conspiracy. I just think something wasn’t right. It was unfair. We didn’t have a chance to win that game.”
“This is a hard one to swallow,” Pollard said. “If it’s ever proven, the league owes me a ring. I guess I can’t really say that, because it doesn’t change much. It just breaks your heart.”
Anyone who watched the game, including honest Lakers fans, knows that should’ve been the end of the series. Instead, the Lakers won game seven and the championship over a weak New Jersey team.
NBA Commissioner David Stern had his chance to respond to the allegations, and basically said that Donaghy was a felon with no credibility and that his claims were “baseless.”
How can he be so sure? How can he dismiss the idea so quickly? The felon and cheater was employed by the NBA for 13 years, and Stern had no idea.
He might be right, but he needs to wipe that smirk off his face while he answers, cause I’m not laughing. I don’t think it’s funny, I don’t think it’s ridiculous, and I’m not satisfied with his answer. If anyone wants to argue that there wasn’t a conspiracy, then they have to offer an explanation for the officiating. How could it be so bad? It was more than the volume of calls that came just when the Lakers needed them, it was the calls themselves (e.g. Bibby’s bloody face fouling Kobe’s sharp elbow).
Stern also acted like this was old news. Apparently the NBA launched a $1 million investigation after Donaghy got caught. But I don’t know how thorough it was because Delaney said nobody has tried to contact him about the game. You would think you’d be interested in talking to the refs involved in this game.
I’m still not convinced there was an explicit conspiracy, but I have to think the league wanted a game seven and the refs knew it. Most importantly, perception is reality. Nobody trusted NBA refs before Tim Donaghy. Stern’s casual brush-off isn’t acceptable. Kings fans have never gotten over that series, and especially game six. Saying “Don’t worry about it” isn’t good enough.
As crazy as it sounds, Donaghy getting caught might be the best thing that could’ve happened. The NBA needs a revolution in the reffing department. Get rid of all of them and start over fresh. Right now, people are convinced that corrupt or just plain bad refs are costing their teams games, series’ and championships. Referees robbed the Kings of a championship in 2002, and I’m just one of the many who are pissed off about it.
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01.02.08
Posted in Sacramento Kings, Basketball at 10:07 pm by tim
If I was an NBA general manager, I would trade players for spite. It wouldn’t take much to tick me off and send them across the country to the worst team I could find - stepping on my shoes, not saying “God bless you,” laughing at me when I trip, correcting me in front of others. Traded! Get outta here!
I would also badmouth my players just like I do now, except in public and to their faces. Most people wouldn’t have what it takes to play for my team, but I’m getting sidetracked. I think I’d trade Ron Artest if I ran the Kings. Why? Cause he said he wouldn’t mind it. Alright, then you got it.
As a Kings fan, I’ve liked Artest a lot since he’s been with the team. He’s played great and for the most part has stayed out of trouble, beating up little to no spectators. But for some reason, every time the New York Knicks come up, he says he wouldn’t mind playing there at all and that he could help turn them around. I swear he’s done this like three times and I’m getting sick of it. Fine, then let’s trade him. To Minnesota. Maybe for an Al Jefferson or…any other good player(s) they might have.
Here’s the thing: the Kings don’t need him. He’s missed plenty of games this year and John Salmons has played outstanding in his place. He deserves consideration for Most Improved Player With A Fish Name. I’ll admit I wasn’t too thrilled when he was Sacramento’s “big” free agent signing a year ago. But he’s 100 percent better this year on both sides of the ball. He’s doing everything better. And his stats (16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg) are comparable to Artest’s (19.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), but in five less minutes per game. He’s just about doubled his scoring from last season.
Really the only time he doesn’t seem to play great is coming off the bench when the Kings’ starters aren’t all injured. With Artest out of the lineup tonight against the Knicks, Salmons scored a career high 32 points, to go along with 11 rebounds, six assists, six steals and a block. He’s shown he can be a starter in this league.
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12.28.07
Posted in Culture, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Media, Basketball, ESPN at 12:13 pm by addisport
The most dominant conference this decade is getting played worse than a banjo song in a hip-hop club.
Every time you turn around, East Coast bias is in the air, and only half of it is deserving. If I read one more NBA story on the Three Celtic-eers, I’m gonna gouge out my eyes. Not really, but I’m just pissed I have to watch them on Sportscenter every night when I don’t give a crap about the Celtics, who have sucked for the last 10 years. Currently, at 24-3, they’re the top team in the NBA and that is giving the national media enough reasoning to shove them down our collective throats.
There’s so many stars in the NBA, and yet I only get glimpses of all the talent in the south (Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor) and up north (Luol Deng and Michael Redd). But don’t get me started with how my Warriors are getting shafted with the daily coverage or how the resurgent Lakers are all of an afterthought some days. And can somebody please explain to me how the Celtics are the best team when they’ve yet to face the defending champion San Antonio Spurs or take a crack at the Dallas Mavericks?
The truth is, these guys are getting more play then they should just because they’re in the middle of one of the biggest media markets that tends to influence the producers at ESPN (Errr… duh!). Now if only they could get a producer who is based on the west coast to give a little fair time at the world wide leader, I might stop crying like a guy who is missing the Dream Team because some network exec decides ice skating is more popular (thanks a lot, NBC).
Every day, the continuing savior from east coast bias is my 10 ‘o’ clock news. I can’t help but wonder when the “world wide leader” is going to start acting like newspapers and get local sports shows like Comcast. (Maybe they’ll hire me.) Whatever the case, there needs to be some incentive to spread out the coverage. Wouldn’t you say diverse coverage is good for league with 30 teams? I’d be happy with it, especially if they’re still going to pretend to be the WWL.
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07.14.07
Posted in Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Basketball at 11:01 am by addisport
In the latest news of a series of unfortunate events, Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest have been suspended by the NBA for seven games each.
The two were suspended for Jackson pleading guilty to criminal recklessness in Indiana after a club shooting and Artest pleading no contest to spousal abuse. Both are already pinned to do community service.
Just goes to show you, getting spanked by the law is not the only punishment you’ll see in the NBA.
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12.30.06
Posted in Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings at 1:12 am by addisport
Right now the Golden State Warriors have the Sacramento Kings by the short and curlies. In two games played this season so far, the G-men have trumped the Kings 113-105 and 126-113, each time giving Northern California an added bit of tart for its coupled dessert.
Just think, three seasons ago Eric Musselman was leading the Warriors back to competitiveness before being canned for slippery reasons like working his players too hard and pushing them to their limits. It’s made each game against his previous employer that much more interesting to see how the Muss reacts on the sidelines - something widely ignored by larger media. Three seasons ago, the Kings were knee deep in playoff hunts compared to the team’s current fight for scraps at the bottom of the Western Conference at 12-15 (only 6-24 Memphis is really worse).
In addition, the Kings have to own up to letting loose forward Matt Barnes, a Sacramento native, who has been exploding for the Warriors - but particularly against the Kings. Last game against the Kings Barnes dropped a career-high 32 points and 11 rebounds on 13-of-22 field goals and 6-of-9 three pointers. The guy had a little vengence in him after working out with the Kings in the preseason. Now, in his first chance at actual minutes and starter status, Barnes has become the last leg of the tripod for the Warriors averaging 14.6 points per game, all since trouncing the Kings. All this after the guy has been with five different teams, has a career average of 4.7 ppg and has “Sac-Town’s finest” tattooed on his arm.
But he isn’t even the heart of what Kings fans have to worry about tonight as they face the Warriors again.
If Barnes has been on fire (career-wise), Baron Davis has been the ignitor.
Each game Davis shows why he’s constantly mixed up in All-Star talk (possibly the G-men’s only All-Star this year). He dazzled Mike Bibby with 36 points and 18 assists on Nov. 9 then he pulled another double-double with 14 points and 13 assists on Dec. 12. His penetration has been noted as the top reason the Kings have not beaten the Warriors this year.
And then we look around and say, well the Kings have Ron Ron and Bibby and, and K-Mart and …. (this could go on).
The fact is the Kings have little to rely on outside of Bibby and the now emerging Kevin Martin, who has robbed Kenyon Martin of his own nickname. But Ron Artest, the league’s leading stealer at 2.4 per game, is still the X-factor in all of this. Because no matter how much you know about the Kings, and their struggling offensive sets, you never know what you’re going to get out of Artest come crunch time.
In so many ways, you can call the Kings inconsistent, but that title is etched in stone for the Warriors. So without further ado, Northern California can duke it out for best of five tonight and see if the Warriors are thinking playoffs for once.
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