http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/124019.html
Kings miss on starring in Vegas
The All-Star Game's lack of Sacramento faces stings Maloofs -- the unofficial hosts.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:17 am PST Thursday, February 15, 2007
Perhaps it was a brilliant plan to quell the critics, those folks who insist the Kings want nothing more than to move to Las Vegas.
Have the All-Star Game in their Nevada backyard but make sure the players bankrolled by the event's unofficial hosts -- Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof -- play no part.
Or, judging by the reaction of one of the Vegas boys himself, maybe not so much.
"It's disappointing," Gavin Maloof said this week. "Our goal coming in and buying this team was to get more exposure for Sacramento, make the city known across the world. We've somewhat accomplished that -- people recognize the name Kings in China, Yugoslavia. It was our intention to create a global brand with the Kings, and we're still working on that."
Just not this weekend. For the third consecutive year, the Kings have no All-Stars or players competing in any of the periphery events -- no slam dunkers, three-point shooters, rookies or second-year players in the annual faceoff or skills challenges. It is a distinction shared by no other in the 30-team league, and a missed opportunity even greater than that of the last two festivities. While the global audience is larger than ever, with 215 countries tapped in via television in 43 languages, the Maloofs' dream won't fully be realized without one of their own on hand.
It wasn't for lack of effort, though. According to team spokesman Troy Hanson, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie put a campaigning phone call out to the league. The best candidate was Kevin Martin, if not for the game itself then possibly for the three-point shootout.
His 41.7 percentage from beyond the arc is better than that of three-point contestants Gilbert Arenas (37.3) of Washington and Damon Jones (39.7) of Cleveland. If not by numbers alone, then the Maloofs were surely hoping they'd be able to add Martin's name to the guest list simply because this is as much their party as anyone's. They didn't, however, do any such politicking.
The purple omission grew only more disappointing to the organization with every replacement player added, in essence meaning the Kings are unworthy, not only for the top 12 spots but, in the end, the top 16. Steve Nash, Carlos Boozer, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson all bowed out with injuries, while Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen, Mehmet Okur and Josh Howard were added to the West roster. League spokesman Tim Frank said ensuring that all teams are represented isn't as vital as picking the best players.
"It's great to have as many teams represented as possible, but obviously the first priority is to get the most deserving participants," Frank said.
Martin, meanwhile, was quick to relish the positives of being left out. He has two swollen fingers and now has five days to rest and recuperate. He's also content that he's even in the discussion.
"I'm getting talked about up there with Ray (Allen) and the other two guards in the Western Conference," Martin said. "Obviously, we've got some two guards that have been there six or seven years. I know their time is going to be up, and if I keep playing like I do, then that's the ultimate personal goal is to be an All-Star."
The reason for the collective snub relates to the team's poor record. But interestingly, this is an All-Star drought they managed to avoid in drier seasons. From 1992 to 1998 -- while the Kings averaged 32 wins per season -- Mitch Richmond was an All-Star six consecutive years. It began a stretch of 11 consecutive All-Star games in which at least one Kings player was on hand, with two players taking part from 2001 to 2004.
Still, they're a long way from the worst snubbing. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Golden State has the longest current streak without a representative in the All-Star Game at 10 years, with Chicago having gone nine seasons and Portland and New York six.
The longest streak for a team without an All-Star was Indiana at 12 seasons (1977 to 1988).
"It's a wonderful honor to showcase your skills in front of (so many) countries with billions of people watching," Gavin Maloof said. "It's a big honor. The players that are chosen should cherish it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings miss on starring in Vegas
The All-Star Game's lack of Sacramento faces stings Maloofs -- the unofficial hosts.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:17 am PST Thursday, February 15, 2007
Perhaps it was a brilliant plan to quell the critics, those folks who insist the Kings want nothing more than to move to Las Vegas.
Have the All-Star Game in their Nevada backyard but make sure the players bankrolled by the event's unofficial hosts -- Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof -- play no part.
Or, judging by the reaction of one of the Vegas boys himself, maybe not so much.
"It's disappointing," Gavin Maloof said this week. "Our goal coming in and buying this team was to get more exposure for Sacramento, make the city known across the world. We've somewhat accomplished that -- people recognize the name Kings in China, Yugoslavia. It was our intention to create a global brand with the Kings, and we're still working on that."
Just not this weekend. For the third consecutive year, the Kings have no All-Stars or players competing in any of the periphery events -- no slam dunkers, three-point shooters, rookies or second-year players in the annual faceoff or skills challenges. It is a distinction shared by no other in the 30-team league, and a missed opportunity even greater than that of the last two festivities. While the global audience is larger than ever, with 215 countries tapped in via television in 43 languages, the Maloofs' dream won't fully be realized without one of their own on hand.
It wasn't for lack of effort, though. According to team spokesman Troy Hanson, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie put a campaigning phone call out to the league. The best candidate was Kevin Martin, if not for the game itself then possibly for the three-point shootout.
His 41.7 percentage from beyond the arc is better than that of three-point contestants Gilbert Arenas (37.3) of Washington and Damon Jones (39.7) of Cleveland. If not by numbers alone, then the Maloofs were surely hoping they'd be able to add Martin's name to the guest list simply because this is as much their party as anyone's. They didn't, however, do any such politicking.
The purple omission grew only more disappointing to the organization with every replacement player added, in essence meaning the Kings are unworthy, not only for the top 12 spots but, in the end, the top 16. Steve Nash, Carlos Boozer, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson all bowed out with injuries, while Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen, Mehmet Okur and Josh Howard were added to the West roster. League spokesman Tim Frank said ensuring that all teams are represented isn't as vital as picking the best players.
"It's great to have as many teams represented as possible, but obviously the first priority is to get the most deserving participants," Frank said.
Martin, meanwhile, was quick to relish the positives of being left out. He has two swollen fingers and now has five days to rest and recuperate. He's also content that he's even in the discussion.
"I'm getting talked about up there with Ray (Allen) and the other two guards in the Western Conference," Martin said. "Obviously, we've got some two guards that have been there six or seven years. I know their time is going to be up, and if I keep playing like I do, then that's the ultimate personal goal is to be an All-Star."
The reason for the collective snub relates to the team's poor record. But interestingly, this is an All-Star drought they managed to avoid in drier seasons. From 1992 to 1998 -- while the Kings averaged 32 wins per season -- Mitch Richmond was an All-Star six consecutive years. It began a stretch of 11 consecutive All-Star games in which at least one Kings player was on hand, with two players taking part from 2001 to 2004.
Still, they're a long way from the worst snubbing. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Golden State has the longest current streak without a representative in the All-Star Game at 10 years, with Chicago having gone nine seasons and Portland and New York six.
The longest streak for a team without an All-Star was Indiana at 12 seasons (1977 to 1988).
"It's a wonderful honor to showcase your skills in front of (so many) countries with billions of people watching," Gavin Maloof said. "It's a big honor. The players that are chosen should cherish it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
