I have one (1) ticket to tonight's game to the Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards. Watch the Wizards get their first win of the season. The seat is in section 120, Row D, near the aisle.

I have work committment and cannot make the game. The face value for the ticket is $80 and am willing to take a loss to sell this ticket if you can make me a fair offer. The payment will be made through PayPal and once payment is confirmed, I will e-mail the ticket to you.

Please contact me at ecnboy18@gmail.com if you are interested in attending the game.

Over the past few days, we have heard the Kings chasing some names such as Chuck Hayes (who is now a King), Andrei Kirilenko and Jamal Crawford. While our opinions of them have been varied to say the very least but they all have one thing in common: A changed mindset this season.

In offseasons past, the Kings have been associated with words such as frugal, rebuilding and youth. However these names are not namesthe Kings would have considered signing it it was 2009 or 2010. These are names you would associate with a rebuilding team. It feel as if the Kings have one purpose this season and that is to dramatically improve their win total or at least winning percentage this season. While I cringed when I heard the Kings' name being linked to guys like Jamal Crawford, but nderstand, you should feel very pleased that the Kings are pursuing these veteran players because veterand players don't want to come to teams whose main priority is to develop their young players. They want to come to a team that has its sights on winning.

And for those reasons, I think we can be very excited for what the 2011-2012 season will have in store. Management and the coaching staff have basically told the fanbase that winning will take on a much more importance. The success of this seson isn't just going to be tied down to primarily developing young players, albeit that should always be a continual goal.

Reports out there that Knicks are pursuing Tyson Chandler and will amnesty Chauncey Billups to get Chandler. Do the Kings make a bid for Chauncey? He is clearly a top free agent. We need to do everything in our power to play keep away from LA.

Since Billups had just a one year contract, I think the Kings should make a very competitive bid to get Billups and have him mentor the Kings and provide leadership.

Come on Geoff, get it done if Billups will indeed get amnestied.

There should absolutely be no way Curry or Jennings catch Evans in the rookie race. I think the rookie should pretty much be unanimous in terms that Evans should get all the first place votes. I don't understand why there is even a conversation about Curry or Jennings catching up to Tyreke. Tyreke could miss the rest of this season and  be hands down rookie of the year.

 

Just needed to get this out. I never understood any of this rookie of the year chatter. THE ROOKIE RACE WAS OVER IN JANUARY.

 

THE MEDIA NEEDS TO SHUT THE CRAP UP.

 

Thank you.

I went to the game at Verizon Center tonight albeit with a loyal Laker fan.  Let's get a list of what looked good and what didn't look so good.

Continue reading this post »

Hey guys!! The PASPN regular season begins tomorrow!!! 

Do not forget to set your lineup, let the games begin and trading continue!!!

There is a great forum to talk Kings and player movement. I'm not trying to drive people away from StR but the StR thread do not provide an appropriate medium to talk trades.

Please do not forget to adjust roster and check your emails to be sure when trades come in. The league is only successful if the GM's are active.You control your team's own destiny.

It should be no surprise that the Kings lost tonight because I am 0-5 when the Kings come to DC. I am bad luck to the Kings. The first ever Kings game I saw was the '01-'02 Game 7 and that was when  I started to root for the Kings.

In 2003-2004: Kwame Brown shows us that he's Tim Duncan and abuses Webb for a 30 and 19 and the Kings lose to a hapless Wizards team in DC.

In 2004-2005: The only game I DIDN'T ATTEND in this five year span. Arenas dumbly fouls Mobley and the Kings win.

In 2005-2006: Artest's recently traded to Sacramento: The Kings brick a bunch of shots and the Kings lose.

In 2006-2007: John Salmons 0.4 seconds miracle heave doesn't count and the Kings lose by 3.

In 2007-2008: Shorthanded Kings lose.

In 2008-2009: Two tanking teams play and the Kings still lose with K-Mart missing critical free throws and Cisco toenail on the line 3 pointer.

I have basically admitted to be bad luck when the Kings come to DC. Maybe next year I go to the game pretending to be a Wizards fan.

I don't know.

 

 

We all know the kind of contributions Brad has put with this franchise. To recap, he's been an all-star, a valuable piece when the team was a contender while Stephon Marbury has been nothing but trouble and despair for the Knicks.

However, this deal of Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas for Stephon Marbury might just make too much sense for it not to happen. This deal essentially is a salary dump and gives the Kings and their fans some fresh hope for the future. While for  New York, gives them the opportunity to compete for a playoff spot while waiting on 2010.

This deal also make sense when you look at history, as recently as last February with the Mike Bibby deal and I would argue this deal is along those lines. What is the difference between Shelden Williams, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright and Tyronn Lue and Stephon Marbury. The latter three were all merely expiring contracts to give the team flexibility and even before Shelden Williams came to Sacramento he had been widely seen as a bust and the Kings didn't even pick his option up for next year. So the Mike Bibby trade became essentially a salary dump.

Is Brad Miller worth more than Mike Bibby was then? Sure Mike Bibby had a heir in Beno Udrih, this year the Kings have young bigs like Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes to develop. The 11-43 record is also another reason to do this deal as the Kings use the 2nd half of the season to see what it actually has. 

 

 

 

 

 

I think these Kings can do great things this season. Yes they can make the playoffs in the West, I'm certainly not going to guarantee that they will but the defensive improvement has been outstanding and that's the key. Yes, they're just 23rd according to number but those numbers are a fluke. I think we definitely should be in the middle of the pack in terms of defensive numbers.

Yes, people are going to harp that when the Kings get Bibby back, they'll be even better. I, for one strongly disagree with that notion. Beno is doing his job and doing it at a way that I feel is very satisfying and should keep his job as the team's starting point guard. I, see Bibby as a valuable trade chip for the Kings. If the Kings can get another teens or even early 20 pick and a power forward, I would be absolutely ecstatic by the prospect of the team.

This team is playing at a level that  I don't think anyone could have imagined the turnaround. Reggie Theus has  instilled a sense of discipline. The Kings are doing exactly what they're supposed to do.

I'm sorry, folks, but the Mike Bibby era is O-V-E-R. I just don't see where he fits in to this team in the present nor the future.

During the end of the third quarter, the kiss-me cam was on at the Verizon Center, only at the end did the Kiss-Me Cam feature John Salmons and Justin Williams. The camera was there for awhile only for Salmons to move aside like a girl turning down a guy. That then followed with Justin Williams being next to Quincy Douby, and  then looking up at the cam and giggling like a girl when he saw that the kiss-me camera had him and 3 Will on it.

For some reason every time I visit the Verizon Center, the teams I want to win loses:

1. 2003-2004: Against an awful Wizards squad, Kwame Brown drops 30 points and grabs 19 rebounds as the Wizards pull off the upset of their season, 114-108.
2. 2005-2006: Ron Artest recently dealt to Sacramento, the Kings were starting to turn it around after beginning the year playing just awful basketball. The Kings miss so many free throws and the Kings fall 107-117.

I just don't get it:

Tonight, other than an inspired 2nd quarter rally after trailing by 9 and cutting it to 1, the Kings come out at the 2nd half and just completely fall apart:

1. Deshawn Stevenson repeatedly hit three pointers
   
2. Kings turnover fest began
   
3. John, Beno, Mikki all played without energy and just didn't have it.
   
4.  Kings continue to settle for three pointers
   
5. Brad gets completely overwhelmed by Brendan Haywood and gets T'd up.
   
6. Spencer Hawes and Quincy Douby, other than an aggressive dunk, looked very,very bad.
   
7. Danhtay Jones looked solid with a very nasty dunk that got the entire crowd oohing and ahhing

   8. Let's add that looking at Kenny Thomas is just vomit inducing,no doubt about it. Old Yeller looks U-G-L-Y in that purple jersey.

Other than that, the Kings looked unimpressive, maybe back to back had something to do with but the Kings need to look at themselves in the mirror because it ain't pretty right now.

I'm excited. The team has a golden opportunity to build some momentum on the road even though Washington has played real well recently albeit against inferior teams. (Antonio Daniels is out 2-4 weeks)

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/49731/20071215/wizards_daniels_has_sprained_knee/

The biggest thing about the Wizards is their:

1. Improved center play
   
2. The development of Andray Blatche
   
3. Not to mention, significantly better ball movement and are actually, without looking at stats, playing better defensively compared to the past.

Weakness for Washington:

1. Three point defense
   
2. Rebounding, although they have Jamison, Haywood , Blatche and Songaila.

Matchup of the Game:

Ron Artest vs. Caron Butler

(Didn't have to be a genius to figure that one, Right?)

I'll make sure to boo Kenny Thomas if he does come into the game, on behalf of all Kings fans and especially StR.

Lineup:

Udrih/Mason Jr.
Salmons/Stevenson
Artest/Butler
Moore/Jamison
Miller/Haywood

I'll be there (Sect: 401, Row H) to experience it live!

It's time for the Kings to git 'er done.

 

December is another tough month for the Kings. I'm going to make a prediction and indicate how likely the prediction will occur. With (50-50) being uncertain and the lowest.

vs. HOU- W
vs. UTA- W  
vs. LAC - W (80-20)
@ DEN- L (30-70)
vs. MIL - W (70-30)
@ BOS- L (90-10)
@ PHI- W  (60-40)
@WAS- L (50-50)
@ NJN- L (60-40)
@ MIL - L (60-40)
vs. DEN- W  (60-40)
vs. BOS-  L (70-30)
vs. PHI- W  (80-20)
vs. PHX- L (70-30)

What do you think of the predictions. How do u think the Kings will do this December?

(From the diaries. Thanks for the news, kingme18. This certainly could have something to do with some trade rumors, but I'll get into that in the comments. - TZ)

The Kings have cut their roster down to 14 by waiving Orien Greene, Geoff Petrie announced. Orien Greene has disappointed by Reggie Theus' standards and with Udrih signed as the point guard sharing the duties with Douby, Garcia, Salmons and even Artest, The Kings probably felt Greene was excess.

I, for one was kind of stunned the Kings waived Greene over Watkins because with the return of Justin Williams, I thought the Kings front-court would have been too deep while there is also glaring hole at the point with a lack of a true point guard other than Udrih rather than having a shooting guard or a small-forward transformed version of a point guard.

I am sorry to announce that I have fallen victim to a very bad disease which I am struggling to fight. I don't know if this is contagious or not but this disease has me in a bind.

I would say I contracted this disease during January after being mesmerized by the freshman stars Kevin Durant and Greg Oden while the Kings are dragging through the dog days of the season during the seven game losing streak.

I thought that I would be able to let it heal this summer but when the Kings came back with this exact roster compounded with Mike's injury the injury really hit hard.

Common Symptoms of this disease:

1. Fist pounding after a Lebron and 1 play to make it 93-88 under a minute.
2. Hand clapping when the Sonics went up 20 during the 2nd quarter and getting a bit antsy when the Kings were crawling back in the 2nd half.
3. Making a small index card charting all combinations in which the Kings could gain the most set of ping-pong balls.

Man, I hate what I have become. It's so early and I'm already looking ahead for the lottery. I've been trying to rationalize to myself that the two wins against Seattle and Minnesota at home were a given and that one shouldn't be too disappointed because there were no way shorthanded or not the Kings were going to win those two games.

If anyone can provide any kind of cure for this disease, I would really appreciate it. I want to end this once and for all. I don't ever want to be pounding my fist at the Kings' mishaps nor do I ever want to count the combinations of best lottery ping-pong balls again.

I WANT THIS TEAM TO BE FOCUSED ON MAKING THE DAMN PLAYOFFS EVEN IF IT WILL BE ONE AND OUT AGAINST THE MAVERICKS, SPURS, ROCKETS OR SUNS WHILE EVEN IF IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE MISSED THE PLAYOFFS AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PICK UP A TOP PROSPECT.
I DON'T WANT TO GIVE A DAMN ABOUT A STUPID ROOKIE ANYMORE, I WANT THE DAMN POSTSEASON.

MORE IMPORTANTLY IN THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE, I WANT THE IN UTAH AND SACRAMENTO TO READ: KINGS FORCE MAJOR UPSET.

I WANT TO GO TO SLEEP PISSED OFF AFTER A KINGS LOS S AND SCREAMING MY HEAD OFF WHEN THE KINGS COME TO AN OPPOSING ARENA AS AN UNDERDOG AND STUN THE OPPOSING TEAM, LIKE THEY DID AGAINST UTAH LAST YEAR.

(From the diaries. Thanks kingme18. - TZ)

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee in his blog is reporting that Mike Bibby will have surgery to repair the torn ligament in his non-shooting thumb. Also reported is that according to Kings coach Reggie Theus, this is the worst-case scenario for the Kings and Mike as a result will miss at least 10 weeks now because of the surgery.

I for one would prefer to have the Kings to try to stem the tide with Quincy Douby as the Kings starting point guard on opening night. Quincy has a lot to learn and why not use the regular season to do so. The Kings were going to win 35 games at best with Bibby anyways. If Douby fails, we could always play for a high lottery pick and pick up Derrick Rose or OJ Mayo.

I know I have posted something that were anti-Justin Williams. I will say I will give my unduly support to every King who wears the royal purple. The Kings need to send a resounding to the rest of the team that this will NOT be tolerated ever again!

I don't know if this is just me but this off the court bull$hit is beyond frustrating for the organization, the city of Sacramento and the fanbase, yes even for the fan from Maryland. We all know what happened last year. The hideous off-court behavior led to atrocious team chemistry. Eric Musselman's DUI, Artest's dog case and domestic violence. The team needs to cut Justin Williams regardless of his potential or whatever. The Kings need team harmony and chemistry and not off court troubles after off court troubles. When will this garbage end??? Some one give me a sign.

Sigh... Long Live Justin Williams.  

I think the Lakers are in a very bad predicament with this trade. He could potentially force the Lakers to get "any" deal for him. Do you really think Kobe wants to play on a Mavs team without Josh Howard? Do you think Kobe wants to play on a Bulls team without Luol Deng? I didn't think so.

Kobe can pretty much force what the Lakers get back in any deal and if the Lakers can't get a deal they like, he can opt out and leave for absolutely nothing. Kobe has all the leverage in the world in a trade like this and thats why teams can put very low-ball offers on the table for Kobe Bryant and should the Lakers get desperate enough, get a potentially very bad deal from their point of view.

I think its very feasible that granted Kobe wants to go to Sacramento that a 1st round pick with Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, John Salmons and Kenny Thomas and Mikki Moore gets the deal done.

Contrary to public belief, Sam Amick of th Sacramento Bee claimed that cuts will be made before the road trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Kings according to Amick, has just 11 guaranteed contracts  and there is only one returning King without a guaranteed deal and that is Justin Williams.

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/430413.html

What does this mean?

Willams is no lock to make the team but Shawes' injury may actually help Williams' case. Though I hope J-Will makes the team and my bet is that he does but its not going to be a gimme for J-Will. Even Hollinger who traditionally hates the Kings likes Justin Williams and doesn't think it's a  fluke.

[editor's note, by louismg]In what would likely be one of the best moves by the Kings in the last decade, the Sacramento Bee is reporting the team is looking to lock up the services of Kevin Martin for five years. Kingme18 has the scoop. The Kings are finally making a move that makes some actual sense. The Kings according to the Sacramento Bee are close to an agreement with Kevin Martin for a contract extension which will be reportedly worth 55 million dollars over the next five years. It is safe to say Kevin Martin will be a very essential piece of the Kings future and any piece for a future playoff/championship core.

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/344011.html

The Stan Van Gundy sweepstakes is picking up some steam for the Kings.

Based on the recent moves in the coaching carousel, the Kings may be able to get Stan Van Gundy or Terry Porter, the two supposed leading candidates.

1. Memphis: Marc Iavaroni
   
2. Charlotte: Sam Vincent
   
3. Indiana: Jim Boylan
   
4. Boston: Re-signs Doc Rivers
   
5. Seattle: has no interest in SVG
   
6. Houston: Rick Adelman
   
7. Minnesota: Re-signs Randy Whittman

The biggie is Orlando who is expected to hire Billy Donovan as the next head coach. SVG's much preferred option was to join Orlando. While doesn't guarantee SVG joining the Kings but it limits his options and depending on how bad he wants to coach and his background in the bay area, this may be his best option.

Poll

Stan Van Gundy???

57%

Yes

11 votes

42%

No

8 votes

19 votes | Poll has closed

It's obvious something is not working in Sactown. While the previous games appear real promising in terms of improvement but let's face it here, one of the main reasons for the improvement is the emergence of our young players. Garcia and Martin have been the forefront of the team's emergence. It also does help that Mike is playing better and Salmons has been adaquate, not spectacular.

Where does this leave the Kings? Meanwhile  the team may perhaps surge into the postseason, does this still mean the Kings need to rebuild the team for next season and perhaps the future?

I, particularly realize that some Kings fans have been hoping the team tank to get a good spor in the June draft. While I have to admit guilty on this but with each passing game it remains more and more unrealistic that we can be bad enough to make a bid for Oden (though you never know where the ping pong balls may fall ; look at Orlando after Shaq). However nor is it realistic to believe a team that has for the time being been revived by the energy of Garcia and Salmons and the stellar all around offensive talents of Kevin Martin to be serious championship contenders.

What can the Kings do? The Kings have some pretty desirable pieces. We may be able to even pick up a young big man and a draft pick with some expiring contracts.

What I do I believe? I personally believe even if the team surges into the postseason party they will ultimately get beat by the Spurs, Suns or the Mavs; and that the team SHOULD rebuild. Mike Bibby's been obviously been on the trade block all season and also Artest's personal issues don't help. However it doesn't help nor does it make much sense to "tank the season" with so many veterans on the team who probably don't want to sit through the mess.

Either way the management has three paths to take:

1. Do Nothing and stay with this roster and see if they can improve internally.
2. Rebuild
3. Acquire an elite low post threat to complement Bibby/Martin/Miller's perimeter game.

Right now 1 looks stupid and 3 is unlikely.

Poll

Management has three paths to take:

58%

Acquire an elite low post threat to complement Bibby/Martin/Miller's perimeter game. (JO? Gasol? Garnett?)

10 votes

0%

Do Nothing and stay with this roster and see if they can improve internally.

0 votes

41%

Rebuild

7 votes

17 votes | Poll has closed

(From the diaries. This is borderline insane if true. Which makes it seem less true. -TZ)

The Kings reportedly were offered Udonis Haslem, James Posey and Dorell Wright for Mike Bibby.

I think that report is BS,however if sportsline is indeed correct, Petrie is on something because that was perhaps better than anything Cleveland or LA could have mustered up. James Posey was expiring contract which would have been pretty nice and Dorrell Wright is a nice young player with a very small contract.

I think there is reason to believe that Artest is not a fan of Eric Musselman. When the Kings were at Houston before the all-star break. NBA Coast to Coast, Marc Stein reported during an interview with Artest that he really missed Bonzi and Adelman. During the postgame interview after the Washington, he again displayed his frustration with Musselman and also mentioned his lack of involvement in the offense. :

"I tried to do a little bit more, but Coach just stopped going to me,'' Artest said.

No offense tho, Ron Artest took some really bad shots during the game.

I think this team has been real unfortunate this year. I dont think we're terrible but we're an seventh/eighth seeded team at best, however we're one trade for a good big man away from doing some real nice things in the West. That guy would be Pau Gasol but he's likely not going to come here. I really think there is two crossroads here:

1. Kings pull off a Gasol trade without giving up BIbby, Miller, Artest or Martin
2. The Kings blow it up and go for  youth and hopefully free agency aids the team.

I really feel we have some nice pieces but I don't think its enought for a Gasol or Garnett. Those are the type of players this team needs, a bonafide superstar big man. We really have to put things in perspective, for the long haul. This team is good enough to be a .500 team.  Im thinking the law of averages is coming to fruition with this team. We'll probably be somewhere around the 38-43 win mark, at best. That's our window. However, is that what the team wants, to be? .500 and maybe sneak into the playoffs?  I keep hearing guys that they'd love to somehow find a way to grab the 8th spot in the playoffs but is that what this team wants for the longhaul?

I personally feel this five game winning streak may be a bit of evening things up and hopefully Petrie will do the right things and either get Gasol OR blow this team up. However, the staying pat solution gets this team nowhere, no enough for a salivating prospect and not enough for championship contender.

Poll

What to do???

30%

Pull a Gasol Trade

4 votes

69%

Blow this team up with youth

9 votes

13 votes | Poll has closed

With the team starting to grab some unanticipated momentum with home wins over Denver, New Orleans and Chicago, are the playoffs a a legit possibility with teams like Denver, LA Clippers, Minnesota, New Orleans and Golden State in the hunt for the playoffs and in front of us? Lets take a look at what I feel may happen down the stretch. They aren't great teams. LA, Denver, New Orleans, Golden State and Minnesota aren't great teams. In fact they all have some pretty serious flaws. (LA: they're the Clippers for a reason, Denver is defenseless, the Hornets are weak on offense, the Warriors are defenseless and terrible on the road, the Wolves are mightily inconsistent.) However, I do see the Clippers, Hornets and the Nuggets improving. The Nuggets are definitely a playoff team. I feel the Nuggets will somehow make a 2nd half run with Iverson and Melo. The Clippers are equipped to do well out West. They have the big man in Kaman and Brand, they have decent guard play with Cassell, Mobley, Maggette and youth in Livingston and Ross. The Hornets have perhaps an up and coming team. Chris Paul will get healthier, David West will improve. They have a nice big man in Chandler who is West coast-esque big man. I think injuries were the reason why the Hornets are where they are. When you look at the Kings play, they tend to end up finding a way to lose close games. They are 0-4 in overtime, which were all at home. They blow close games to terrible teams like Memphis, injured New Orleans, depleted Heat at home etc. They have quarters where they totally implode offensively and defensively (especially 3rd and 4th quarters) This has to somehow paint a picture. You got to like the way the team manages to play concerted defense and offense at times. The reason the Kings play so many close games are that, they will usually find some way to stay close. They played good D against the Bulls when they're offense is bad. I don't think the Kings offense an d their defense are connected because of the their lack of an identity. I am still adamant about rebuilding, but hey the deadline is coming up in matter of days and in two weeks, we'll see the direction management takes. If they decide to keep the vets, ill be more than happy to hope the Kings make the playoffs. I feel the Kings for the Kings to make a run is to make a play for Gasol. The Kings need Pau Gasol. I really, really believe when Gasol said there was secret West coast team making a run at him, he was mentioning Sacramento.

Here's the bottom line, if the Kings can't get Gasol, look for them to rebuild. Management has to look at this with a perspective here. This team is playing well right now. Sometimes playing well makes things look better than they are. If this team was to have this kind of a win streak on the road, then that would be something to be looking at. Let's face it, the three home wins, were games the Kings were obviously favored to win and were suppose to win. This team will have its ups and downs. I never believed this team was bad enough to sink into the realms of the Memphises, the Charlottes, the Phillys and the Bostons, nor were they going to be as good as the Houstons, Lakers, or other middle pack playoff teams. The team will put together streaks when they're schedule is favorable, and will pull out nice road wins here or there. But how they will sustain will be answer/key. Stay tuned.

 

Poll

How do you see the Kings making the playoffs

12%

Just keep pluggin' away with this roster. With Musselman, this team can't fail

2 votes

37%

Have to make a trade of a legit low post player

6 votes

50%

There ain't no chance of the playoffs, just rebuild.

8 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed