SB Nation User Blog: Sacramento_Strong

What a Kings fan (speaking for myself) is thinking about the 09-10 season so far

Sacramento_Strong — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:29:42 -0000

Before I continue, I'd like to say that I realize we are not the team we hope to be yet. We are not going to contend for a championship. If we get our game together in an accelerated timetable, we could be a playoff team. But that is also wishful thinking.

It all starts with expectations. We have seen the expectations people had of this team going into the season. From the outside, how many time are we going to see that clip with whom I believe is Jerry Stackhouse saying that it's going to be another bad season in Sacramento? And even in a more implicit way, have you actually seen a King since Webber make it to a nation NBA commercial? And from the fans since so many were quick to write off some of our personnel. I read those apology letters to Kenny and Beno. All I could think of was how badly we, especially myself, overlooked our talent.

Then it occurred to me, we overlooked our roster because of the gross misuse of talent that is Kenny Natt's tenure. Every time there was an interview, it would seem like the coaching staff was trying to slow the game down or make it easier on the players. The players were stuck on Step 1 and 2 of an instruction manual.

These negatives, for the most part, were addressed during the off season. So now, not only is the coaching upgraded, the talent is upgraded. This is the surprise that no one has seen coming. There is extra effort and we are actually competing in games. Sure, we have loss a number of games to poor execution but we are showing potential. Something we never had last year.

That's where the excitement comes from. It's in the fact that we do have a chance at winning games. We are not consistent yet, but you have that "any given Sunday" feeling. The only team that can beat us is ourselves and the Miami Heat. We competed well against the Suns and Spurs. It was just a lack of execution and focus that did us in.

This growing process is bringing people back to Arco and making the Kings relevant. I'm not going to say it's all one person cause it's not. And if I had to give credit to one person, it's Geoff Petrie. This surprising team now has a national televised game on Wednesday (WHICH I AM GOING TO) against a playoff team. I beg people to please go and make Arco roar like the early 2000s, if only for 1 night. Feel the R04R, perhaps? We even have a StR night against the Nuggets. And the thing is, I know that if the Kings can execute, they can beat them.

So this leads me to my three questions I'd want to know from all you StR folks:

1. Does anyone else see Sean May sitting on the bench and feel bad? Not for him, but a feeling like damn what a waste. Something similar to finding out you left your faucet running.

2. What to do with Francisco Garcia. Do we keep him? Then what about Donte and Omri?

3. How will Kevin Martin fit without disrupting chemistry? Although, I think this may be an easier transition than people think. I'd still like to hear your thoughts.

This is how I see things so far from my living room in Natomas, staring at a building that used to be a true sixth man during our glory day. Just remember to stick with your team. That's why we're here.

And remember if all else fails, at least we don't have Chris Cohan and Larry Riley running the team.

Another Look into King's history

Sacramento_Strong — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:42:33 -0000

I saw that my last post generated at lot of dialogue between many of the Sacramento Kings fans on StR. Now that being the case, I wanted to do one more past thread before I, myself, let the past go and wait patiently for our return to the top.

So I present to you in no particular order, my top 5 favorite Kings plays of recent memory. Sorry if I left stuff off the list, I haven't been watching basketball as long as some of you have. But I'm sure this will conjure memories of where you were when it happened. As a ground rule, I'm using these just because I was astounded or they were a big play. Take them for what they are. Ready?

5. Peja gamewinner vs the Pistons

I love this play not only because I watched it live (in the palace) but because this was during the time where there was a notion that Peja was the deadliest shooter in the league. This just confirmed that. It was beautiful being one of the 6 Kings fans in the palace. So for sentimental value alone, this makes the list.

http://www.youtube.com/v/DuZyVxZtQ0g

4. Kevin Martin Gamewinner vs the Spurs

This man is now THE man in our city. I believe that this play was the start of it all. Yes, at the time we all knew he had potential. But with all the pressure on the line and two people that had no problem taking the last shot, the kid wins the game over one of the greatest. You have to appreciate it.

http://www.youtube.com/v/bVeS0kVXxtc

3. Chris Webber behind the back to Vlade

I understand this is not a game winner, but it is important to show this clip. This clip showed why our team was so entertaining, revolutionary, and fun. Our bigs could pass the ball so well. On top of that, how many posterizing dunks does Divac have? To find the play click on the link, it's number nine.

http://www.youtube.com/v/CN2OLA7mSY4

2. Mike Bibby blocks Lebron James

Why is this ranked so high? For one, I was there and got to see it live at ARCO. Second, this is a PG blocking one of the greatest in the game. What's not to like? Rarity alone should justify this. It was perfectly timed and considering who this block is on, can't really ask for more.

http://www.youtube.com/v/LFcngRUqPaU

1. Mike Bibby Game Winner Game 5

I've never seen Arco so crazy before. And what pains me about this play is that they always show Robert Horry's game winner and never show this one. What's that all about? We would of closed out the series if it weren't for a certain referee. If I ever had to pick one shot to sum up the Kings' early 2000 dominance and in many ways, the hope of Kings fans to return to this some day, it's this one hands down.

http://www.youtube.com/v/8b-8sS1GplM

Sorry if I missed your favorites. You can always link them in the comments or even just mention them. I have no doubt people will remember them. We're going to be back, and just think you got to watch it all happen.

Thanks Everyone.

How strong? Sacramento_Strong

How about something different?

Sacramento_Strong — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:11:53 -0000

So as I come to StR, I notice there's a lot of talk about the future of our team. So instead, I figure why don't we take a break from all that and look at the past.So here we go:

I've been a kings fan now for a while now. So I've seen players come and go for the organization. So in light of this, I'm going to give you my top forgotten (but not in our hearts) Kings players and why. This is in no particular order and I'm going to mention Kings players from the Adelman era. I may give special attention to some outside of this area, but only because they're special. If I missed someone, I apologize but there are people I couldn't put on this list because you can't forget about them.

Lawrence Funderburke-What list of beloved Kings players can start without Funderburke? None. This guy along with Gerald Wallace really showed that Sacramento showed loved to every player even the ones who were just role players. He backed up Chris Webber during his time with the Kings if you don't recall. And what else is there to say but he was a fan favorite?

Art Long/Jabari Smith-I placed them together for one reason and one reason only, they were the backups backup. There was no chance these guys would get on the floor except for super garbage minutes. This was after all the "WALLACE!" chants. But I do recall Jabari Smith being called to make to foul shots because the person who was fouled (whose name escapes me at the moment) was too hurt to shoot his free throws. So Jabari takes off his warm up attire, tucks in his shirt. And with his terrible free throw percentage, SINKS BOTH OF THEM.

Keon Clark-Honestly, Clark is on here for his two game winners in his short tenure with the team. A real energy guy from Toronto. I was sad when he and the team parted ways.

Mateen Cleaves/Derrick Martin/Tony Delk/ Brent Price-Either Bibby/Jackson or Williams/Jackson, these guys weren't going to see any playing time. Although props to Tony Delk, I recall there was a game toward the end of the season where we were down big like 30 points. And after Adelman conceded, he put Delk into the game and he brought us back into that game. That game literally allowed him to play a couple more years as a legit backup instead of a benchwarmer.

Rodney Buford-He's on this list because I had to actually double check that he was on the team.

Anthony Peeler-Great shooter but I'm not gonna lie, I really only remember that shot he gave KG when he thought he could punk Peeler.

And finally,

Jim Jackson-Another guy that proved he still had something left during his time with the Kings. He was a solid bench player with that corner three ball.

Anyone I missed? Who were your favorites?

PS- Enough trade talks please. We got into this mess because we made rash decisions to win now.

Patience is key

Sacramento_Strong — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:13:11 -0000

So I've been reading all the posts since the draft and all I see is people making up trades that would be beneficial (Fassenko) or on the other hand offseason moves that shouldn't and will not happen (Hedo, Marion, Kobe, MJ, Wilt). It seems that people aren't happy with our current roster, and after last season I can understand why. But it seems to me that a lot of people are impatient with the development process. I understand we all want to win now. We all want to go back to when you needed earplugs at ARCO. When there were more Kings fans than Lakers fans, at OUR HOME GAME. But Kevin Martin is only going to be in his sixth year. Donte and Shock just got off their rookie season. Hawes is going into his 3rd year but he's still about 2 years younger Shock. We have a bunch of players who don't have a basketball identity. Meaning we have talent but haven't found a way to use the talent we have to put it together. And the reason for that is because we've had three coaches who we all knew were underperforming. Hopefully, Westphal can give these youngsters a basketball identity. Because once we have that, we can use free agency as a band aid to patch the team together as a contender.

We made our investments we just have to wait and watch the players grow. Look at all the best teams in the league. They drafted their talent. Kobe in LA, Howard in ORL, Wade, Lebron, Duncan, Paul, D Williams. Many people consider the Thunder to being the closest ones to be out of the bottom cellar and into the middle of the road/playoff contention. They drafted all their weapons (Durant, Westbrook and Jeff Green even though he was via trade on draft day). The only real exception to this rule is the Celtics. That's why everyone hates the Celtics and that's why there's a special place in hell for Danny Ainge. Look at our team when we were in contention. To make the Webber trade work, we drafted Peja, Turkoglu, Williams (then traded him for Bibby). We had a deep bench and if anything, we're making a really good bench now. With the Lakers, the Shaq trade then and the more recent Pau trade was all the glue that sealed their team as a contender.

All I'm saying is we have to be patient and let our guys develop. We're a young team like the Blazers were. And after a few years they became a legit playoff team. Look at Kevin Martin. He's a great scorer but his game is not quite there yet. Also, he has to be the leader of the team and after watching the Kings play the Heat, it's obvious he has potential to be our cornerstone and leader but he's not the dominating player he can be yet. Honestly, we're not close to being there yet but look at it this way. Our team will take 2-4 years to develop together. And in that time, imagine the teams that will be passed their prime and we can take their spot on top of the western conference.

Last thing--I know there's a lot of people who wished we picked Rubio and not Tyreke. I WAS one of them but we have to support the team now. As much as I wish we could of had Rubio, screw it. He's part of the T'wolves and Tyreke is our player now.