When the Dream Becomes Reality

As a kid I always dreamt of playing in the NBA and imagined what it would feel like to have my name called in the Draft. Those dreams have since passed, but I still wonder what the actual feeling of being drafted feels like compared to how it’s imagined. To solve my wonderment, I asked the newest Kings player if he could compare fantasy to reality. Also, I am always intrigued by players’ reasoning for picking their jersey number, so I asked the draftee to give Kings.com the scoop on his new digits.

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Jason Thompson

You wore 1 at Rider, how did you decide on 34 as your Kings jersey number?
“I usually have a meaning for the number I have, so my high school number was 33 and my college number was 1. Now (I have 34). I had to think of something. I (chose it) at the last minute and it was hard for me to think of because every number I was saying was either retired or taken. (Laughs.) It’s alright though, it feels good.”

What’s the contrast between how you dreamt it would feel to be drafted and the actual feeling of being drafted?
“I think I had it planned out a couple days in advance of how I would react, but it didn’t even work out like that. I just wanted to scream and go out into the neighborhood but my heart was beating so fast and then it stopped immediately (when my name was announced). I shed a few tears and started screaming in the house and then went outside to get some air and the whole neighborhood was a stampede and came to the house, even people I had never seen before. It’s good and it means I have a lot of support. And it showed all the hard work I have been putting in has paid off.”

Now that you’re in Sacramento at your first NBA press conference, what does it feel like?
“I couldn’t imagine it would be this good and feel this good. I feel like it still hasn’t even hit me, yet. It has to hit me sooner or later. I’m just excited to have this start and have some time off (this week), but not too much. I’ll be working out at home just to get ready going into Summer League.”

You’ve compared your game to a combination of Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace. Can you elaborate on that?
“I watched their games real closely. With KG, I just love his energy and the leadership he brings to the team. Even before he won a championship, that’s the same effort I would give. He brings the ball up sometimes. He shoots the ball from the outside on a consistent basis, especially this year with his midrange game. When he dunks the ball, he’s screaming and saying certain things that I know, but I hope the media doesn’t say out loud. (Laughs.) And then Sheed is a Philly guy from the same area (as me). Some games he’s 6-for-6 from three. He’s so consistent with that. And I try to say not the attitude part, just his game and what he brings to the table.”

What NBA player are you looking forward to playing against most?
“I haven’t really thought about it like that. Pretty much everyone right now, but we’ll have to see. Maybe the guys I look up to will be my favorite guys to play against.”

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Dinner and a Lottery

Margie arrived at NBA studios in Secaucus, N.J., with the biggest entourage of any team rep in attendance. She was quickly greeted by NBA personnel, given her all-access credential and whisked off to the hospitality tent.

While the eventual drama unfolded later in the studio, much of the evening’s excitement took place in the hospitality tent that looked more like it belonged at the U.S. Open rather than connected to the studio in rainy New Jersey. Inside the 40-yard long and 50-foot wide tented-area was every type of food you could imagine. Cedar-planked salmon, chicken, roast beef, turkey and every type of pasta dish that would make even Tony Soprano’s mouth water.

After getting a rundown of the night’s activities, Margie was greeted by Kings co-owner Joe Maloof, who quickly took on the role of chaperone and escorted her all around the tent, introducing her to every big name in attendance. She had personal conversations with Mike Dunleavy, Larry Bird, Jay-Z, David Stern, Mitch Richmond and Dwyane Wade to name a few. Also receiving a lot of media attention in the tent were new Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, new Knicks GM Donnie Walsh and young stars Kevin Durant and Rudy Gay.

Margie wasn’t the only Parilo to be blown away by the generosity of all the celebs in attendance, however. Her husband, Mike, her son John and her two daughters — Theresa and Michelle — all mingled with the crowd and took enough photos to fill the next family album.

By the time she was finished in the tent, Margie, who was featured throughout last week by local media in Sacramento, had become a savvy media pro. She conducted interviews with ESPN, NBA.com and several other outlets in attendance. Then it was time for the biggest stage of all.

Following the three hours of eating, mingling and photo ops, it was finally time for her to make her national television debut. Before a live national audience watching on ESPN, Margie made her family and all Kings fans proud by representing the team with pride at the Lottery while being flanked by Bird and Jay-Z and even flawlessly conducting a live interview with ESPN’s Doris Burke during the show.

Thanks, Margie, for representing the Kings and making all of Sacramento proud!

Day Two Photo Gallery

Breakfast with Joe

Margie and her family sat down for breakfast with a very special guest Tuesday morning, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof. The six-person party enjoyed coffee, OJ, fresh fruit, scones and more, inside the Four Seasons Hotel. It was the first time Joe had the chance to meet and hang out with the Kings LUCKIEST Season Ticket Holder.

Joe and Margie talked for more than an hour discussing the Draft, the Kings young core of players, the Parilo childrens’ college choices and the excitement of being on national TV with the likes of Larry Bird, Rudy Gay, Dwyane Wade and, the newly-added representative for the Nets, Jay-Z. Oh, and Joe also made sure to send the best regards of Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie, who Joe had just finished talking to prior to sitting down for the morning meal.

As the last sips of coffee and juice were had, Joe let Margie know he would possibly see her again in the near future, regardless of what pick her luck lands the Kings, as Margie and her daughter plan to celebrate their 50th and 21st birthdays, respectively, in Las Vegas this summer.

Margie couldn’t thank Joe and the Maloof family enough for the incredible opportunity she has been given, and, similarly, it was apparent how glad he was that he and his family were able to make another family so happy. Whether it is community giving or providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to a long-time Kings Season Ticket Holder, it’s clear that the generosity of the Maloofs is as genuine as it gets.

After the goodbyes, Margie took to her next adventure, a makeover and shopping spree, which by the excited look on her face, she was rather excited about!

This is it. We’re headed to the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery! The extravaganza that has been the Kings LUCKIEST Season Ticket Holder trip is reaching its zenith.

Cheers to Margie and lucky pennies! Let’s Go KINGS!

Day One Photo Gallery

Feeling Lucky

Kings LUCKIEST Season Ticket Holder Margie Parilo and her entourage landed in New York Monday, but not before an eventful day of traveling.

The day began at Sacramento International Airport where Margie and her husband Mike and son John arrived decked out in Kings attire. Both of the men were rocking head to toe Kings warm-up suits, while Margie sported a Kings T-shirt and pulled a perfectly matched Kings-colored purple suitcase.

By the time everyone met, Margie had already started the morning off on the right note, finding her 24th lucky penny since she began collecting the lucky copper coins after being named the LUCKIEST STH on May 11.

With spirits high, Margie boarded the plane and took her seat next to Kings limited partner John Kehriotis — John later found a lucky penny in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport as did Margie’s son and husband, so the count is up to 27! The two had plenty of time to chat along the way and among other common interests they found out they both have an affinity for the lucky number 33. By the time the layover in ‘Sota was a distant memory and the pleasant young Kings fan, Kim, who had grown up rooting for the Kings and loved the purple and black so much that she named her dog Peja, was well on her way to her new home in Minot, North Dakota, Kehriotis and Margie were checking into their luxury rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Like NBA players, Kehriotis made sure to arrange for both to have 33 in their room numbers.

So, with less than 24 hours to go until the Lotto, if anyone in Sacramento is wondering if Margie and crew are feeling lucky, the answer is undoubtedly — YES!

As I mentioned in the previous post, only four teams have ever landed a top three pick after winning at least 38 games the previous season, but with Margie representing the Kings at NBA Studios in Secaucus, NJ., the chances of Sacramento joining that short list are looking better and better by the minute.

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New York, New York!

Kings LUCKIEST Season Ticket Holder Margie Parilo is taking her luck to New York on Monday and hopes to return to Sacramento on Wednesday with the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. A Season Ticket Holder since ‘Day 1,’ she will be the first-ever STH to be a team’s official representative at the NBA Draft Lottery. She will appear live on ESPN on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Margie will be rolling like a rock star on this trip. Not only will she will be flying first-class, commuting between NYC and Secaucus NJ. in a limo and staying at the Four Seasons Luxury Hotel, she will be provided a stylist and a shopping spree in the U.S. shopping mecca. Her trip wouldn’t be complete, though, unless she had an entourage in tow. That entourage includes the token website writer (me), Kings limited partner John Kehriotis, who will be the team’s representative at the behind-closed-doors lottery, VP of Business Communications Mitch Germann, Director of Event Presentation Tom Vannucci, VP of Media Relations/Basketball Operations Troy Hanson and, of course, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof. Not to forget, her three children and husband will also be along for the history-making event.

Wow, that was a long-winded paragraph, and this is just the intro!

The Kings currently hold a 93.55 percent chance of securing the 12th pick in the Draft, a 3.89 percent chance of having the 13th pick and a 0.02 chance of obtaining the 14th pick. In more exciting news, the team also has a 0.7 percent chance of securing the first pick, a 0.83 percent chance of locking in the second pick and a 1.01 percent chance of landing the third pick. Should the team land a top three pick after finishing the 2007-08 season with a 38-44 record, the Kings would become just the fifth team since the lotto was introduced in 1985 to have won at least 38 games and garnered a top three selection, joining the ‘87 Pacers (38-44), ‘90 Sonics (41-41), ‘93 Magic (41-41) and the ‘06 Bulls (41-41). Of the four previous 38-plus win teams that secured a top three pick, only the Magic won the lottery, while the others all were slotted at the two-spot.

Just to give you some perspective on how cool of an experience this should be for Margie, aside from the ‘rock star’ type accommodations, fellow team representatives include Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Mike D’Antoni and Larry Bird, to name a few.

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Kings Sightings

In unrelated news, there are a handful of Kings working out in the Kings practice facility, lifting, shooting and/or rehabbing. Most recently that list includes, Quincy Douby, Ron Artest, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Francisco Garcia and Spencer Hawes.

As many of you probably heard, Ron-Ron tried his hand — his surgically repaired left thumb is healing well by the way — at color commentating at the Monarchs Home Opener on Saturday. Catching up with Douby, who was also supporting the Monarchs in their win over the Silver Stars, he said that he is taking his summer workouts to Las Vegas this week to begin working out with highly respected trainer Joe Abunassar. The third-year guard said he’ll train there until Summer League begins in July. Also in attendance at the Monarchs-Silver Stars contest was Philadelphia 76ers point guard Andre Miller. Miller, who according to Wikipedia, resides in El Dorado Hills during the offseason, went nearly unnoticed while sitting beneath the hoop sporting a Pittsburg Pirates fitted-cap.

Check back soon for an update from New York and be sure to follow Margie’s journey with up-to-the-minute details via our new Kings.com Twitter account!

K-Mart’s Defense & More

Thank you for checking out the Kings.com Blog.

If you’ve subscribed to the Kings.com Live Blog at all during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, you’re probably acquainted with my blogging. Otherwise, you may be familiar with my writing/video blogging and podcasting on Kings.com and SacramentoMonarchs.com. With the Kings 2007-08 season in the books, I’ll be blogging in this forum during the summer months along with Kayte, Daniel and a couple more bloggers that we’ll be adding to the blog roster soon. My goal for this blog, as you may have read last summer, will be to keep you up to date on all things Kings — Lottery, Draft, Summer League, workouts — and any other NBA musings that are inevitable.

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I want to follow up on a story I wrote about Kevin Martin in the beginning of March, which focused primarily on his offensive growth and maturity, with a few notes on Martin’s defensive development. Like the feature, Kevin Martin’s Quiet Ascent, I have some quotes from Kevin’s personal coach David Thorpe — who many of you are familiar with, thanks to his great work on ESPN.com — regarding Martin’s defense.

The last two months of the season, Coach Theus voiced much praise for Martin’s effort on defense. The most noticeable example of his improvement came on weak side defense. If you caught Martin’s postgame comments the past two months of the season, you probably noticed him reference that same defensive side on a number of occasions. More than any statistical evidence can show, it was effort and positioning that demonstrated his new attention to defense. While Martin took 22 charges over the course of his 61 game season, he was a regular in the paint on defense in the team’s final months, if not taking one for the team, working to disrupt the opposition’s post players and take away easy weak side buckets.

Spending more time guarding the paint also helped Martin improve his rebounding statistics for the fourth consecutive year. He grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest in ‘07-08, including 3.7 defensive rebounds. Those totals — RPG and DRPG — ranked Martin 14th and eighth among guards in the NBA, respectively, which is notable considering his rebounding effort is seldom discussed.

As I alluded to, Martin’s defense picked up the second half of the season after he received a visit from Thorpe in early February.

Here are some of the thoughts his personal coach shared with me during his visit.

“I told him, ‘That’s why I’m coming out here. I think you can score 24 to 25 points a game in your sleep. And you’re capable of more on both ends of the floor.’”

“So we talked about, ‘What can you do better?’”

“You know, we think he can make more plays defensively. I think he’s a better defender than the average person would think.”

“The net result is very, very positive. I’m watching pretty much every minute of his games and he gives up baskets, but in the NBA two-guards get scored on.”

“I think he’s ready to take that next step and take those risks a little more.”

“I think he’s quick enough to disrupt a lot of people and I think as he gains more experience from having to guard other teams’ best players, which he was doing from time to time, he’ll get better at it because he’s a competitor.”

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• Sure, Mikki Moore felt the need to debate every foul called against him this season, just as he has done throughout his career. A penchant which has earned him a number of comments from former and current smiling teammates like, “Mikki has never committed a foul in his life!” Or, as Coach Theus said in one of the last home games of the season, “That’s the first one he’s had right all season! He hasn’t been right all season, but that (was a foul)!” In spite of the good humored comments and Moore’s rebuttals, it doesn’t take away from his adeptness at taking a hit for the name on his jersey. This season the Kings power forward drew the third most offensive fouls in the NBA — 51. Only Derek Fisher (54) and Andrew Bogut (53) took more blows from the offense in the name of their respective teams. And while Moore may not have agreed with them all, he did lead the League with 189 shooting fouls committed this season.
• The final standings are in for games missed due to injury and with no surprise the Kings were one of the leaders — 11 players missed action in 2007-08. With 12 players missing time due to injury, the Clippers were the only team to miss more than 260 games this season. Thanks in large part to Shaun Livingston and Elton Brand’s major injuries, Los Angeles missed a league leading 321 games. The Kings ranked ninth, tallying 199 missed games due to injury. The Wizards and Lakers were the only Playoff teams that totaled more injuries than the Kings. With a League low tying seven players missing time, the Suns saw the fewest games (30) missed due to injury.
• The NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 20 and the Kings have one selection among the top 14 picks. Finishing the 2007-08 campaign with a 38-44 record, the Kings will have eight out of a possible 1,000 combinations to win the Lottery. Miami has the greatest chance of winning the Lottery with 250 combinations. While the concept seems to imply that all 14 picks are decided through the Lottery, it is only the first three picks in the Draft that will be determined by the Lottery. The remainder of the “lottery teams” select in positions four through 14 in inverse order of their consolidated standings at the end of the regular season.Speaking of the lotto, the Kings will be the first team in history to send a Season Ticket Holder to be their official representative live on ESPN during the NBA Draft Lottery. In fact, fans vying to be the Kings LUCKIEST Season Ticket Holder taped their short auditions last week at ARCO Arena.