SacKingsFX
G-League
Even if the Sacramento Kings never win a championship, I will still love this team. I live in Los Angeles, but have been a vehement Laker hater all my life. I started to become a diehard Kings fan during the 2000 playoffs. I had always been a Pacer fan and had also followed the Kings loosely because of the presence of Spud Webb, Mitch Richmond, and later Chris Webber. The Kings impressed me in the 2000 playoffs in their five game series against the Lakers. The dazzling play of Jason Williams was fun to watch, and Chris Webber's talent was evident. However, what impressed me the most was their heart, their never-say-die attitude, and their fans. With Sacramento being a relatively small-town, the fans' love affair with the Kings is unique. The Kings were unintimidated by the big-market, high payroll Lakers, and gave them a run for their money. The 2000 playoffs saw my favorite player Reggie Miller fall short to the hated Lakers.
Despite playing in Toronto, Doug Christie always gave it his all. He was part of the endangered species of hard-nosed, unselfish, and teachable NBA players. When the Kings acquired him, I was thrilled. I loved the fast-paced, full-court game of the Kings, but still, something was missing. By the 2000-2001 season, the Kings had half of my basketball heart, with the Pacers still occupying the other half. I proudly displayed my love for the Kings, wearing my Kings cap in Los Angeles and withstanding the insults hurled at me. J-Will, DC, Peja, C-Webb, Vlade, and B-Jax fell again in the 2001 playoffs. Again to the hated Lakers.
In the 2001 offseason, Geoff Petrie should have been arrested. He stole Mike Bibby from the Vancouver Grizzlies. The missing element was fulfilled. With the departure of the flashy but cancerous Jason Williams, the Kings became the ultimate team. They were like a college team: the players had great chemistry, they respected their coach, and they had a small arena filled up with cowbell-ringing fans. The 2002 team was almost perfect. In Bibby, you had the floor general, a steady, Stocktonish true point guard. Doug was the defensive stopper and the heart and soul of the Kings. Peja was the secondary offensive option, a budding star. Chris was the go-to guy, with shades of prima-donnaness, yet nothing compared to the antics of other superstars. Vlade was the lovable center who rebounded, passed, and flopped. Bobby Jackson, Scot Pollard, and Hedo Turkuglo formed the bench mob. Rick Adelman and his staff presided over the Kings' passing offense. The Kings stormed to a spectacular regular season and made it to the Western Conference finals. The memory of the 2002 playoffs still gives me chills. Chris Webber saying he was able to succeed because he had been taught to never listen to the commentators. The referees showing clear bias. Chris Webber inbounding the ball, decking Derek Fisher on a clean screen, and allowing Mike Bibby to sink the game winner. The failure to reach the ultimate goal only made me love the Kings more, for they went down fighting. It was the Kings vs. the NBA. The Kings vs. the money aspect of the NBA. The Kings vs. NBC. The Kings vs. the Lakers.
The rivalry between the Kings and Lakers escalated when Doug Christie and Rick Fox fought in a preseason game. The NBA again showed its true colors, failing to censure Shaquille O'Neal for his role in the altercation. The 2002-2003 season proved to be another memorable experience. The death of Bobby Jackson's mother. Chris Webber's playoff injury. The impact of Keon Clark. Again the Kings fell short, this time casualties of the Dallas Mavericks' high powered offense and injuries to their own.
The 2003 offseason brought about changes. Darius Songaila was drafted. Hedo Turkuglo was sent to San Antonio. Brad Miller came from Indiana. Brad was a perfect fit. He was not the most talented player, but he played hard and never backed down. He was a great shooting big man and an even better passer. With Vlade and Brad at center, the Kings had the best passing team in the league. Brad and Peja were selected to the Western Conference All Star Team. The woes of injury beset the Kings once again. Still, they emerged from the regular season as title contenders. Unfortunately, as Anthony Peeler and Kevin Garnett exchanged blows, the Kings fell to Minnesota in the playoffs. A Chris Webber shot from downtown rimmed in and out, and after the heartbreak, Chris Webber took some thinly veiled shots at his teammates for lack of heart, and planted the seeds of hostility between Chris and Peja.
Now this season. Experts announced that the Kings were no longer title contenders. Sure, they would make the playoffs, but they were not going to claim what had avoided them for so long. With a starting lineup of Bibby, Christie, Stojakovic, Webber, and Miller (Vlade skipped town for the Lakers), nothing radical was implemented. Matt Barnes, Greg Ostertag, Maurice Evans, Kevin Martin, and Erik Daniels were new faces in purple and white. As the season progressed, the Kings experienced a series of highs and lows. In early 2005, Petrie pulled the trigger on a shocking trade. Doug Christie was traded to the Orlando Magic for Cuttino Mobley. Christie had been racking up assists, but his age was catching up with him. He lost half a step on defense and contributed minimally on offense. Mobley provided a step up in offense, but less defense. Mobley fit in well with the Kings, and they broke off a nice streak of wins. And then the King left the Kings. Chris Webber and Matt Barnes were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner, and Corliss Williamson. Kenny Thomas had been a quiet player who consistently put up double digits in points and rebounds. Brian Skinner was a good-guy who played hard. Corliss Williamson was a former Kings, known as "the Big Nasty." Late season injuries to Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson allowed Sacramento fans to fall in love with Skinner's aggresive play and K9's quiet efficiency. With Webber gone, the team was on Bibby's shoulders, and he stepped up, delivering impressive offensive performances. Mobley's defense was elevated, as he tried to fill the shoes of Christie. Peja's defense improved, but his offensive output was sometimes inconsistent. High flying Maurice Evans impressed fans with his dunks. Greg Ostertag blinded fans with a risque dance.
Two games into the 2005 playoffs and two games down to the sharpshooting Seattle Supersonics. Things look dismal, but I still have faith. Realistically, I know the Kings probably won't win the championship this year. The Kings of the 2005 playoffs have not impressed me. They are not showing their trademark heart and unselfishness. Still I have faith. The credit of past Kings teams is so high that two playoff games with lackluster effort won't induce me to jump off a bridge.
I fell in love with the Sacramento Kings because of their heart, their unselfishness, their comraderie, their hustle, and their attitude. The Kings have set a high standard for themselves, and in order to succeed, they must live up to the standard. Even if the Kings don't win a championship, I will still love the Kings and cherish the memories the Kings have created.
Despite playing in Toronto, Doug Christie always gave it his all. He was part of the endangered species of hard-nosed, unselfish, and teachable NBA players. When the Kings acquired him, I was thrilled. I loved the fast-paced, full-court game of the Kings, but still, something was missing. By the 2000-2001 season, the Kings had half of my basketball heart, with the Pacers still occupying the other half. I proudly displayed my love for the Kings, wearing my Kings cap in Los Angeles and withstanding the insults hurled at me. J-Will, DC, Peja, C-Webb, Vlade, and B-Jax fell again in the 2001 playoffs. Again to the hated Lakers.
In the 2001 offseason, Geoff Petrie should have been arrested. He stole Mike Bibby from the Vancouver Grizzlies. The missing element was fulfilled. With the departure of the flashy but cancerous Jason Williams, the Kings became the ultimate team. They were like a college team: the players had great chemistry, they respected their coach, and they had a small arena filled up with cowbell-ringing fans. The 2002 team was almost perfect. In Bibby, you had the floor general, a steady, Stocktonish true point guard. Doug was the defensive stopper and the heart and soul of the Kings. Peja was the secondary offensive option, a budding star. Chris was the go-to guy, with shades of prima-donnaness, yet nothing compared to the antics of other superstars. Vlade was the lovable center who rebounded, passed, and flopped. Bobby Jackson, Scot Pollard, and Hedo Turkuglo formed the bench mob. Rick Adelman and his staff presided over the Kings' passing offense. The Kings stormed to a spectacular regular season and made it to the Western Conference finals. The memory of the 2002 playoffs still gives me chills. Chris Webber saying he was able to succeed because he had been taught to never listen to the commentators. The referees showing clear bias. Chris Webber inbounding the ball, decking Derek Fisher on a clean screen, and allowing Mike Bibby to sink the game winner. The failure to reach the ultimate goal only made me love the Kings more, for they went down fighting. It was the Kings vs. the NBA. The Kings vs. the money aspect of the NBA. The Kings vs. NBC. The Kings vs. the Lakers.
The rivalry between the Kings and Lakers escalated when Doug Christie and Rick Fox fought in a preseason game. The NBA again showed its true colors, failing to censure Shaquille O'Neal for his role in the altercation. The 2002-2003 season proved to be another memorable experience. The death of Bobby Jackson's mother. Chris Webber's playoff injury. The impact of Keon Clark. Again the Kings fell short, this time casualties of the Dallas Mavericks' high powered offense and injuries to their own.
The 2003 offseason brought about changes. Darius Songaila was drafted. Hedo Turkuglo was sent to San Antonio. Brad Miller came from Indiana. Brad was a perfect fit. He was not the most talented player, but he played hard and never backed down. He was a great shooting big man and an even better passer. With Vlade and Brad at center, the Kings had the best passing team in the league. Brad and Peja were selected to the Western Conference All Star Team. The woes of injury beset the Kings once again. Still, they emerged from the regular season as title contenders. Unfortunately, as Anthony Peeler and Kevin Garnett exchanged blows, the Kings fell to Minnesota in the playoffs. A Chris Webber shot from downtown rimmed in and out, and after the heartbreak, Chris Webber took some thinly veiled shots at his teammates for lack of heart, and planted the seeds of hostility between Chris and Peja.
Now this season. Experts announced that the Kings were no longer title contenders. Sure, they would make the playoffs, but they were not going to claim what had avoided them for so long. With a starting lineup of Bibby, Christie, Stojakovic, Webber, and Miller (Vlade skipped town for the Lakers), nothing radical was implemented. Matt Barnes, Greg Ostertag, Maurice Evans, Kevin Martin, and Erik Daniels were new faces in purple and white. As the season progressed, the Kings experienced a series of highs and lows. In early 2005, Petrie pulled the trigger on a shocking trade. Doug Christie was traded to the Orlando Magic for Cuttino Mobley. Christie had been racking up assists, but his age was catching up with him. He lost half a step on defense and contributed minimally on offense. Mobley provided a step up in offense, but less defense. Mobley fit in well with the Kings, and they broke off a nice streak of wins. And then the King left the Kings. Chris Webber and Matt Barnes were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner, and Corliss Williamson. Kenny Thomas had been a quiet player who consistently put up double digits in points and rebounds. Brian Skinner was a good-guy who played hard. Corliss Williamson was a former Kings, known as "the Big Nasty." Late season injuries to Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson allowed Sacramento fans to fall in love with Skinner's aggresive play and K9's quiet efficiency. With Webber gone, the team was on Bibby's shoulders, and he stepped up, delivering impressive offensive performances. Mobley's defense was elevated, as he tried to fill the shoes of Christie. Peja's defense improved, but his offensive output was sometimes inconsistent. High flying Maurice Evans impressed fans with his dunks. Greg Ostertag blinded fans with a risque dance.
Two games into the 2005 playoffs and two games down to the sharpshooting Seattle Supersonics. Things look dismal, but I still have faith. Realistically, I know the Kings probably won't win the championship this year. The Kings of the 2005 playoffs have not impressed me. They are not showing their trademark heart and unselfishness. Still I have faith. The credit of past Kings teams is so high that two playoff games with lackluster effort won't induce me to jump off a bridge.
I fell in love with the Sacramento Kings because of their heart, their unselfishness, their comraderie, their hustle, and their attitude. The Kings have set a high standard for themselves, and in order to succeed, they must live up to the standard. Even if the Kings don't win a championship, I will still love the Kings and cherish the memories the Kings have created.
lol...
) Although I know there will be a championship for the Kings somewhere in the future, the Kings team that we have known and loved over the past several years is no longer together, and they never quite made it. I don't love them any less, and I'm proud of what they have accomplished, and excited about whatever this new Kings team has to offer.
