Pre-Draft Circus

Hey Kings fans!

It’s been a great day here in New York City! I have to admit, the time change has been a little blip on my radar. I tried to get up at 8:30 a.m., and kept hitting snooze until 9 a.m., considering I was up at 4 a.m. West Coast time yesterday, I think I deserved to sleep in until 6 a.m. this morning! Read more

My First Pre-Draft Workout

The NBA Draft is quickly approaching. Teams around the League are bringing guys in and out of town with fury. Since the WNBA doesn’t have pre-Draft workouts, given the quick turnaround from the women’s college season to the start of WNBA training camp, I thought I’d go check out a Kings pre-Draft workout to see what all the fuss is about.

It was very much like I expected. On this day, six guys participated in a workout that is supposed to help the basketball operations staff get a better feel for the prospects’ individual and team skill. The interesting thing about it, especially from talking to some of the players after the workout, is most teams run them through the same series of drills, etc., and most teams don’t even let them play a full-court game. Some teams, according to these NBA hopefuls, even have players running line drills, as if their conditioning is of any concern during the couple hours they have them on their court.

The Kings, however, prove to be different from most teams on a couple of levels. Most shocking to these young guys, who are more than eager to impress whoever is working them out, in Sacramento, Geoff Petrie conducts the workouts himself! As Terrence Williams alluded to at the conclusion of the workout, it was very different to have the general manager, or in Petrie’s case the president, running up and down the court with them instead of, ‘Sitting on the sideline in a $10,000 suit twisting his wedding ring around his finger!’

Geoff, being out there, running the workout wasn’t the only major difference between Sacramento and other teams. The Kings let them PLAY, which makes complete sense. I would imagine, seeing guys get up and down the court, even if it’s only a three-on-three game, is more valuable than sitting on the sideline with a stop watch timing line drills. It seems to me, teams would have this all figured out by now. I remember playing, and it’s very easy to get into a groove when you do a couple shooting drills, then run a line drill, then go to the free throw line and make five free throws because, as the players admitted during media availability today, every team is doing the same drills. So I know players are getting used to the routine! Break it up. Throw a ball out there with those guys and turn them loose in the full court and see how their shooting drills transfer to live-play.

Now, I’m from the country so this metaphor may not make sense to some, but, if you’re not going to watch the guys play in a game situation, it’s kind of like buying a horse without ever climbing up on the saddle. The horse may move well and look nice but, maybe once you’re in the saddle, it just doesn’t feel right!

The Kings want to make sure it feels right.

Silver Lining

Since February, the Sacramento Kings, as an organization, have experienced a lot of change, and it began with the multiple trades that took place before the trade deadline. More recently, the dissolution of “House Party Live,” which, if you’ve been paying attention, was the pre, half and post-game show I participated in with Jim Kozimor, Fat Lever and Henry Turner.

I cannot tell you, in one simple blog, how saddened I am by this news on multiple levels. But speaking from my heart and ignoring the business side of things, I consider the last two years working with Kozimor to be a blessing. He is one of the most talented people I’ve ever come across, during both my sports career and my time in front of the camera. I mourn the loss of our show, which I was so lucky to have been a part of for two years. I wish everyone could have as much fun at work as we did during my stint on “HPL.” I haven’t quite put my head around the fact I won’t be working alongside my ‘Kozi’ anymore. He was more than a colleague in my mind — a close and cherished friend, who will be greatly missed.

My role with the Kings is also changing.

Many people have reached out to me over the past week to find out what the end of “HPL” spells for me. All I can say is that I will remain a member of Kings broadcasting, in some capacity. Until my new role is completely defined, all I can do is assure you, I’m still here and looking forward to whatever new challenge this change will bring my way.

The past week of change within the Kings organization has been difficult for everyone but I am anxious for Tuesday when we will finally find out what pick the Kings will have in the Draft. I try to focus on the good change this pick could bring to this young team that is dedicated to rebuilding and destined for more change in the near future. I could sit here and speculate like many people about who will be drafted and what coach will eventually be hired to take over the reigns of your Sacramento Kings, but I will pass. I will share my thoughts after the lottery and decisions are made.

In the meantime, I will try to find the silver lining in change.

Looking at the Future

The end of the Kings 2008-09 season closes out a year that featured two head coaches, 22 players and 17 wins. So after such a season, what can die hard Kings fans look forward to next year?

Let’s see…

Read more

Kayte’s Caption, April 15

Congratulations, Tom from Antelope! Tonight’s winning captions are:
1.”Somewhere, over the rainbow.”
2.”It’s Hammer-time…Break it down.”

If your caption is selected as the winning caption, please send your full name and mailing address to webteam@arcoarena.com.

Kayte’s Caption, April 13

Congratulations, Ken in Modesto! Tonight’s winning caption is: “These special rainbow nugget shorts and rocket power knee wraps help me get above the competition to shoot the sweet jumper.”

Kayte’s Caption, April 12

Congratulations, Jason! Tonight’s winning caption is: “Ouch…Tim, stop pulling so hard..I told you the ball was really stuck in my curls good… “

Kayte’s Caption, April 9

Congratulations, Ken from Modesto! Tonight’s winning caption is: “Did you see Dancing with the Stars? Do you think we have a shot at it?”

Kayte’s Caption, April 7

Congratulations, GoKingsFan_CAM!  Tonight’s winning caption is: “With these muscles I should be a point guard in the NBA!”

Here’s how to submit your caption suggestions:

1. Leave a comment.

2. Text ‘Kayte’ to 69866

If your caption is selected as the winning caption, please send your full name and mailing address to webteam@arcoarena.com.

Vlade’s Time to Shine

I wasn’t here during the ‘Golden Years’ of the Sacramento Kings. I didn’t witness the infamous Kings vs. Lakers series but the legend has endured. On March 31, yet another chapter was written when Vlade Divac’s #21 jersey was raised to the ARCO Arena rafters.

There is no debate — Vlade was a special basketball player. A center with unreal passing skill and court awareness, a more than efficient ability to score and mastery of the flop. But above those talents, Vlade will always be remembered as the ultimate teammate. Read more

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