Aloha Kings Fan, another season, another hope.

[CruzDude]

Sitting at the Rusty Harpoon in Whalers Village in Lahaina, Maui watching our Kings almost take down the Spurs WITHOUT OUR TWO BEST PLAYERS I realized this season was much better than last year for sure and even better than the season before based on how the Kings finished the year.

They have Chutzpah, they have desire and finally some attitude. With their best players out they have beaten the best and they have beaten every division winner in the NBA some more than once.

Hawes is a keeper for sure. Beno is a diamond in the rough, a find only our GP could grab. Kevin is a near-future all-star. RonRon, when he plays in and with the team, makes the Kings a winner. Brad played like an All-Star unfortunately in same conference as Yao and Tim. Mikki was good and if we can find him some new/better hands, he could be real fixture here for some time. And Cisco. He is our 6th man-of-the-year for sure, an incredible player and is right up there with Mano.

The KingsFan board has been particulaily stimulating this year with new and old alike adding to the emotion, the arguments and for the most part, support of our Kings. Our local news rag has provided more stimulation this year than I can remember in a bunch of years. Grant and Jerry we've grown to really love, especially Jerry having listened to all the other color commentators in the league. His "out-on-the-farm-humor" is a treat. But that could be for adults in the crowd.

And the Maloofs. God love them. They are Sacramento and the Kings. Or as my wife and I call them, the "Sacramento Otters" (ever seen two otters at play in the water?).

So Aloha for another summer. See some of you in Las Vegas at the summer league in July and will report on the Kings team there for the rest.

CruzDude and CruzDame

 

[Larry89]

TDOS... here we come?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

My favorite part of the season: Kenny Thomas didn't play a minute after January 2.

 

[Warhawk]

TDOS... here we come?

Yes, but I think we all expected to be done after today anyways, so it isn't this great disappointment.

I really, really hope some offseason moves are made. Good ones, even.

 

[fnordius]

Ah, brings back memories of hanging out at the Blue Max... *sniff*

May your off-season be ka oe.

 

[fnordius]

TDOS... here we come?

No.

TEAOS.

 

[CruzDude]

Tdos?? TEAOS??

 

[Spike]

Nay.

TPIOS

(The potentially interesting off-season.)

 

[Entity]

My favorite part of the season: Kenny Thomas didn't play a minute after January 2.

lets see if THAT pays divdends like i suspect. I am thinking best case Opt out(he has an option this year) Middle case buy out saving us 3 or 4 mil over the next 2 years. Worst Case we pay him neary 17mil to sit on the bench the next 2 years.

 

[Bricklayer]

Tdos?? TEAOS??

The Eagerly Awaited Off Season I believe.

 

[Aenadin]

Hello Every body i just joined in today in kings fans

Ive been a fan of the sacramento kings since their glory days in the early 2000s and im from The Philippines.. not much kings fans here (miami this lebron that spurs fandom shaq lovers...and lakers ftw here and there) but hell im one of them ive been a full supporter ( i wasnt there during the mitch richmond days but i was excited during the webber era and stuff and still is for the upcoming kings)

any ways im here to say hello and greetings to every one and wishing you all the best and i hope every one had fun watching our beloved kings this year... i know we missed the play offs but i liked what i see from the new coach any ways ill say more when i know a LOT more about the people here
i hope i fit in here with my hatred for the LAKERS (hate them so much)

thanks

 

[Warhawk]

Tdos?? TEAOS??

The dreaded off-season. Brick got the other one.

 

[uolj]

It's just TOS for me this year. :|

 

[CruzDude]

Well, my conclusion on the season was more frustration than anything what with the ridiculous number of major injuries. But in all, the emergence of Spencer Hawes, the improvement of Kevin, and the all-star level of Brad made for a more enjoyable year than the past 2. The love-hate relationship with our RonRon continues. When he is good and works with the team he makes the team very, very good. When he takes over at the expense of the team, he has trouble with the triple teams and loses control. But the ability is there. When the Kings can keep in scoring threats as Kevin, maybe Beno and 1 or 2 more, then his take overs within the team structure can do more for the team.

Well, I'm gonna take the "D" out of TDOS by going to the Las Vegas Summer League for a few days to see the Kings summer league team, headlined this year I hope by Spencer Hawes plus their first and second round draft picks, probably Douby, and even Shelden maybe plus "round up the usual suspects". Heck, last year even RonRon showed up and played a game or two.

GP and Wayne Walker will be in the bleachers watching the Kings and a variety of players, Scotty at the scouts table along one end line, and the various Maloofs at various times along the sideline seats (but always at least 1 or 2 during Kings games and sometimes 4 or 5!). It's a ball seeing the who's-who of the NBA plus always a number of Hall of Fame'rs in the stands. Plus the audience is only as you would expect to see in Las Vegas: smatterings of showgirls, and various other scantily dressed ladies, the bling loaded local color guys and kids and grandparents, other active NBA players and all having a ball.

July 11-20 at the Thomas & Mack Center, tickets and team schedules on June 2, or so it promises at http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/index.html

 

[Entity]

I know its easy to overlook Cruz because we haven't had one in a while but, this year you have something else to look at in the summer league. We have 2 second round draft picks this year. This will be the first time we have had anything in the second round in 3 years.

 

[fnordius]

This will be the first time we have had anything in the second round in 3 years.

And the first time we've had 2 since Corliss was our first rounder. I'm liking it!

 

[CruzDude]

Yes, TEAVSL.

 

[upinsmoke]

There are bright spots without a doubt.

5.hawes <--young kid got skills just hoping he has the pride to keep improving. (hopefully we can move brad)

4.Moore <--not going to cut it in the west, just being honest.

3.Artest <--Defensive monster and brings more intensity than any other king.

2. Martin <-- Mix of slasher/shooter guard needs to hit the weight room then you will see more and 1's and getting free playing off the ball.

1. TBD

 

[Tarindel]

My thoughts:
1) Spencer Hawes was the best part of this season. I was very down on the pick at the beginning of the year but I'm definitely coming around.
2) Miller was the second biggest surprise. He looked great this year and I hope that continues.
3) Salmons early season play was spectacular. However, we need to get him into the starting lineup because he does squat off the bench.
4) I wish we'd traded Artest -- he's a great player when he's on, but I think we'd be better off with someone else.
5) Kenny Thomas actually getting benched was fantastic. I had to change the name of my fantasy team.
6) Mikki Moore sucks.
7) We need a good PF bad.